The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/592698
WOLFPACK BASKETBALL PREVIEW 2015-16 ■ BeeJay Anya 21 • C Jr. • Washington, D.C. • 6-9 • 285 Analysis: Anya appears to be entering his junior season in the best physical shape of his career. If he can maintain his conditioning, he is a threat to break the NC State single-season record for most blocked shots (the mark is currently held by Thurl Bailey, who swatted away 95 shots during the 1983 national title season). Anya was named the ACC Sixth Man of the Year last year because of his ability to change a game defensively around the basket. Career Highlights: Selected by the media as the ACC Sixth Man of the Year as a sophomore … Blocked 91 shots last year, second most ever in a season for a Wolfpacker and the most for a sophomore in school history … Set a new NCSU record with 10 blocks in a game against Jacksonville … Made game-winning basket with 0.1 seconds left in NCAA Tournament opener versus LSU … Led team with 39 dunks last year … Had a career- high 14 points to go with six rebounds and four blocks in a home win over previously unbeaten Duke … Played in 33 games and was a key reserve for much of his freshman season … Ranked ninth in the ACC with an average of 1.8 blocks per game and also led the team in total blocks (46) … Was rated by Rivals.com as the No. 5 center and No. 58 overall player in the class of 2013 … Three-year starter for famed DeMatha Catholic in Hyatts - ville, Md., and two-time All-Metropolitan selection by The Washington Post … Averaged 13.3 points, 10.6 rebounds and 3.8 blocks while shooting 71.0 percent from the floor as a senior … Posted 13.3 points, 10.5 rebounds and a school-record 6.8 blocks per game during his junior campaign. Coach's Corner: "I'm a strong believer that he's a completely differ- ent player when he's not lugging around a 9-year-old on his back … I'm encouraged right now, very encouraged, but we're not where we need to be yet." — Mark Gottfried Personal: Given name is Chukwunonso BeeJay Nduka-Anya … Has three sisters. STATISTICS Year G-GS MPG PPG RPG BPG FG% 3FG% FT% 2013-14 33-0 11.8 2.1 2.1 1.8 58.7 — 48.4 2014-15 36-11 19.4 4.5 4.3 2.5 61.0 — 55.7 Ten Questions With BeeJay Anya What was the last movie you saw in the theater? "Ant-Man." Who is the worst dancer on the team? Maverick Rowan, not even close. What is your ideal vacation destination? Hawaii. Who is your favorite current NC State football player? Pharoah McKever. What is your favorite spot on NC State's campus? The Hunt Library. What is your biggest pet peeve? People burping. 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? Madison Square Garden. Who is the best player you've played against? [Former Texas and current NBA star] Kevin Durant. If you were given one last meal, what would it be? Ribs with mac and cheese and my mom's potato salad. PHOTO BY KEN MARTIN NOVEMBER 2015 ■ 65