The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1543694
MARCH/APRIL 2026 ■ 27 died of a cocaine overdose the day after he was drafted No. 2 overall by the Boston Celtics. Washburn returned to NC State on several occasions through the years, but not nearly as often as this season, dur- ing which he has attended multiple book signings in the Raleigh area. He's also been introduced at several basketball games, greeted with open arms by some and mixed reactions by those who can never forgive the firestorm he started during his brief playing career under Valvano. The excerpt below is taken from the second chapter of Washburn's book in which he details the start of his playing career at NC State. University Bound Washburn got off to a solid start on No- vember 24 when the 13th-ranked Wolf- pack thumped Campbell University 94- 54. Valvano went to his bench early and often, as the Wolfpack jumped to a 16-6 lead in the first seven minutes and never looked back. NC State's biggest margin was 88-47 when Washburn hit a free throw. The Wolfpack followed up with an easy 93-70 victory over UC Santa Barbara. Washburn led his team with 16 points. The Wolfpack won six of its first seven games, losing only to Georgia Tech in a thriller, 66-64. In the first seven games, Washburn averaged 10.7 points and 5.9 re- bounds. On December 11, he was selected as the ACC Rookie of the Week in wins over North Carolina A&T and Western Carolina. He hit 12 out of 25 shots with six free throws. CHRIS WASHBURN: "I was confi- dent, arrogant, in fact, about my ability to play. For being Rookie of the Week, I got a basketball plaque and some attention. I knew I could play the game. So, winning Rookie of the Week was no surprise to me." Washburn was averaging over six re- bounds a game in just 22.3 minutes of playing time. His solid play was enough to convince Valvano to keep the freshman in the starting lineup. The team was expecting big things from the young basketball prodigy. But then in December 1984, he became involved in an embarrassing incident that would derail his career. On December 21, Washburn was ar- rested on charges of breaking into an athletic dormitory room and stealing five Washburn played in only 41 games at NC State due in large part to off-the-court problems. He averaged 16.4 points and 6.6 rebounds in two seasons with the Wolfpack. PHOTO COURTESY NC STATE ATHLETICS