The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
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44 ■ THE WOLFPACKER you've just got to turn it loose. "For us to become a good team, he was the guy that had to take it to another level. The turning point was at Georgia Tech." Gottfried often said getting Barber going was what the offense needed, but Anya had considerable impact on changing the game defensively. The Wolfpack's head man started to publicly challenge Anya after the regular season ended, pointing out that he needed to shed some of the 300-plus pounds on his 6-9 frame. Gottfried noted that maybe it was the first time that it came out through the media, but he has regularly pushed Anya in practice. Gottfried wants him to lose at least 20-30 pounds this offseason. "I challenge BeeJay every day, and he's probably real tired of me," Gottfried said. "He has to take a huge step in his com- mitment to his body. I think we are see- ing glimpses and seeing parts of maybe what can become great. It isn't there yet, though." Anya averaged 4.5 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.5 blocks in 19.4 minutes per game this season. He shot 61 percent from the field and had a season-high 14 points, six rebounds and four blocks in the 87-75 upset win over No. 2 Duke on Jan. 11. Anya also had eight points, 10 rebounds and three blocks in the win over then-No. 9-ranked Louisville. Freeman took over for Washing- ton and finished with 21 starts. The 6-8, 245-pounder averaged 3.6 points and 5.6 rebounds in 19.5 minutes per game. Free- man earned praise for his ability to defend, rebound and do the little things. "In that game in Louisville, it was kind of a turning point for us," Gottfried said. "We changed our starting lineup and put Lennard Freeman in the lineup. He gives us a little more defense and rebounding. I thought he helped us execute our offense a little better and get better shots. I think from that point forward, at times, we have really guarded people well." Abu was a highly touted prep recruit — he was ranked No. 45 overall in the class of 2014 by Rivals.com — and he earned his first start against Pittsburgh Jan. 3. He never left the starting lineup, and averaged 6.4 points and 4.8 rebounds per game for the season. The 6-8, 230-pound Abu saved some of his best play for last. He had 13 points and 12 rebounds in the win over Villanova. He showed his potential when he scored the first 12 points of the game for NCSU en route to 19 at Miami Jan. 22. "When we recruited him, the thing that I fell in love with was his motor," Gottfried said. "He plays so hard. Every time I watched him play, he was so active, around the rim, running the floor, rebounding, scoring. I love that about him. "Then once I got to know him a little bit better, we began to recruit him. It's hard not to just fall in love with him as a person. He's just a great guy that's fun to be around every day." The 6-4, 200-pound Henderson averaged 11.7 points per game and shot 37.6 percent from three-point land and 84.8 percent at the free-throw line as a sophomore at WVU in 2013-14. He reached double figures in 18 of the 28 games he played in for the 17- 16 Mountaineers, including a season-high 28 on 5 of 6 three-point shooting in an 87- 81 win over Texas Tech Jan. 22. Henderson has the ability to play either of the wing positions. The Martin twins, sophomores Caleb and Cody, will bring dynamic energy next year with increased roles. Both are 6-6 and 200 pounds, and have similarities on the court. Caleb Martin played in all 36 games and averaged 4.8 points and 2.9 rebounds in 16.6 minutes per game. He shot 35.6 per- cent from the field and 30.5 percent from three-point land, and will need to improve on his outside shooting. Caleb Martin reached double figures in three contests, including his lone start against Charleston Southern Dec. 12. He went 7 of 12 from the field and 3 of 8 on In his freshman season, Abdul-Malik Abu averaged 6.4 points and 4.8 rebounds per game, and he posted 13 points and 12 boards in the upset over Villanova in the NCAA Tournament. PHOTO BY KEN MARTIN