The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/592698
2015-16 WOLFPACK BASKETBALL PREVIEW MEET THE PACK A Closer Look At The 2015-16 NC State Men's Basketball Team ■ Abdul-Malik Abu 0 • PF So. • Boston • 6-8 • 240 Analysis: Abu emerged as a starter during his freshman season and flashed his considerable potential. He is an athletically gifted post player that plays above the rim (he had 34 dunks last year, second most on the squad), and has worked over the summer to improve his fundamentals in the post. An improved free throw stroke (he shot 56.3 percent last year) would also help Abu boost his production. The Pack is counting on Abu to make a big leap from his rookie season. Career Highlights: Started 22 games as a freshman … Posted two double-doubles — 15 points and 12 rebounds at home versus Clemson, and 13 points and 12 boards in the NCAA Tournament win over LSU … Had a career-best 19 points at Miami … Rated by Rivals.com as a four-star prospect and the No. 45 overall player in the 2014 class … Played three seasons at Kimball Union Academy in Meriden, N.H., scoring 1,284 career points and leading team to a 61-21 record … Averaged 24.5 points and 10.5 rebounds per game as a senior … Named the 2014 NEPSAC Player of the Year … Played AAU basketball for Expressions Elite … Also played varsity tennis for a year at Kimball. Coach's Corner: "I have much higher expectations for him now after being in our system. … He's gotten better in our workouts. We'll see what he does when we start playing games. I think fundamentally he has gotten better. He's learned to use the backboard a little more. … I think he'll be a better foul shooter this year. He's in a position to have a good year." — Mark Gottfried Personal: Abu is a devout Muslim who prays five times a day and fasts during Ramadan, which is the ninth month of the year in the Islamic calen - dar … Majoring in communications. STATISTICS Year G-GS MPG PPG RPG APG FG% 3FG% FT% 2014-15 36-22 19.1 6.4 4.8 0.6 46.8 20.0 56.3 Ten Questions With Abdul-Malik Abu What was the last movie you saw in the theater? "Straight Outta Compton." Who is the worst dancer on the team? Maverick Rowan. What is your ideal vacation destination? Wherever the national championship is. Who is your favorite current NC State football player? Pharoah McKever. What is your favorite spot on NC State's cam- pus? The Dail [Basketball Center, where NC State prac- tices]. What is your biggest pet peeve? Underachieving. Who is the best player right now in the NBA? Kevin Durant. What is your favorite arena that you have played in out- side of NC State? Dean Dome. Who is the best player you've played against? Cody Martin. If you were given one last meal, what would it be? Anything from my mom. PHOTO BY KEN MARTIN 64 ■ THE WOLFPACKER