The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1544864
MAY/JUNE 2026 ■ 33 and 11.9 rebounds, logging the second- most double-doubles in program history (22) across her 32 games played. Pierre knocked down 52.5 percent of her shots and was a presence on the glass, consis- tently finding ways to haul in loose balls. How impressive was Pierre's perfor- mance in the rebounding department? Consider that she collected double-digit boards in 21 of her appearances. There were only three games all season in which she finished with fewer than 7 rebounds. Moore dubbed her a "walking double- double," and she'll be a strong contender for ACC Player of the Year recognition in her final campaign. Brooks, meanwhile, was the most con- sistent player on the Wolfpack roster in her first three seasons. She emerged in a critical role as a freshman, blossomed into the team's go-to point guard as a sophomore, and took more of a leader- ship role this past season. The former McDonald's All-American put together the best season of her NC State tenure in 2025-26 with averages of 16.0 points, 4.7 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 1.7 steals per game — all career-best marks. With Brooks at point guard and Pierre in the post, NC State had a 1-2 punch that rivaled what most opponents were able to trot onto the floor. Keeping the duo together was crucial for NC State. Their retention will allow the Wolfpack to enter the upcoming season with a sky- high ceiling. Brooks and Pierre would have been difficult to replace via the transfer por- tal. They both would have been top-10 players had they entered the market, but instead they elected to finish what they started in Raleigh. Wooten, meanwhile, was a trans- fer portal addition who is expected to start at shooting guard after spending last season at Colorado. The rising se- nior will be impactful on both ends of the floor after she averaged 13.4 points with a 35.2 percent three-point mark, while she posted her second consecutive season with at least 54 steals. ROLE PLAYERS Ky'She Lunan, Maddie Cox, Qadence Samuels, Khady Leye NC State was able to retain a trio of role players from last season, head- lined by Samuels, a former Connecticut transfer. She was a critical part of the team's guard play on the wing, serving as an effective rebounder and quality defender in her first season with the Wolfpack. The Forestville, Md., native averaged 6.4 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.2 assists. She shot 38.4 percent from the floor, and while she only hit at a 28.3 percent rate from three-point distance, the coaching staff believes her perimeter shooting can be an asset in the season to come. Cox, meanwhile, is a glue-type player in NC State's frontcourt. Her numbers aren't flashy — 2.8 points and 0.8 re- bounds in 15.3 minutes — but each time she steps onto the court, Cox seems to find a way to impact the game. Whether it's a timely three-pointer or standout defense for stretches, the rising senior does the dirty work for the Pack. A 6-foot-2 forward, Cox is look- ing to carve out an expanded role this coming season, similar to what she did against LSU in the Sweet 16 two seasons ago when she posted 8 points and 7 re- bounds with a pair of three-pointers in 21 minutes. If she can do that, she will be an integral part of the team's rotation in the upcoming season. Lunan, who had an increased role as her freshman season went along, rounds out the group of top returners. She av- eraged 4.5 points, 1.4 rebounds and 1.2 assists as NC State's backup point guard, headlined by a pair of 11-point perfor- mances off the bench. Next season, how- ever, she will likely serve as a shooting guard, where she will be able to use her speed and quickness off the ball at a con- sistent clip for the first time in her col- legiate career. Additionally, the Wolfpack brought in Leye from the transfer portal via Auburn. The 6-2 Senegalese forward averaged 9.5 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.3 steals in 32 starts for the Tigers this past season. She has a chance to claim a starting spot in Raleigh as a junior. Quality role players are critical to the success of a team. NC State was able to retain three of its top options from this past season, allowing for the trio to con- tinue to grow within the program going into the next campaign. Their expected jumps in production following summer workouts will be felt by the entire squad. TO BE DETERMINED Adelaide Jernigan, Kamora Pruitt, Annsley Trivette, Favour Ossai Chinoye Of the returning players, NC State only has one unknown at the collegiate level. Jernigan, a rising sophomore, averaged 2.1 points and 0.5 rebounds in just 6.3 minutes across 15 appearances last sea- son. She was the team's least-utilized player but has a chance to develop into a three-point shooting threat going into her second season in Raleigh. Jernigan dealt with injuries through- out the season, which may have ham- pered her bid for a bigger role. But after playing in Moore's complex system for a year, she will likely find herself on the court more frequently next season. After all, NC State needs an increased three- point shooting presence, and Jernigan should be able to make a significant con- tribution coming off the bench. Pruitt, Trivette and Osaai Chinoye are the program's incoming freshmen. Of that group, Pruitt, the No. 27 overall re- cruit nationally, appears most likely to earn significant minutes right away. ■ ■ 2026-27 Women's Basketball Roster* No. Name Ht. Pos. Year Hometown High School/Last College 2 Qadence Samuels 6-0 G Sr. Forestville, Md. Bishop McNamara/UConn 7 Destiny "Ky'She" Lunan 5-10 G So. Scottsdale, Ariz. Millennium 10 Adelaide Jernigan 5-11 G So. Winston-Salem, N.C. Bishop McGuinness 11 Maddie Cox 6-2 F Sr. Flower Mound, Texas Flower Mound 12 Khamil Pierre 6-2 F Sr. Phoenix, Ariz. Perry/Vanderbilt 35 Zoe Brooks 5-10 G Sr. Plainfield, N.J. Saint John Vianney — Desiree Wooten 5-8 G Sr. Dallas, Texas Mansfield Timberview/Colorado — Khady Leye 6-2 F Jr. Louga, Senegal Spire Academy/Auburn — Favour Ossai Chinoye 6-1 F Fr. Nigeria Fukushima Toryo (Japan) — Kamora Pruitt 6-2 F Fr. DeSoto, Texas Legion Prep Academy — Annsley Trivette 6-3 F Fr. Abingdon, Va. Abingdon * As of May 6