The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/699450
142 ■ THE WOLFPACKER more guard Torin Dorn, who sat out this past season as a transfer from Charlotte. The return of rising junior power for- ward Abdul-Malik Abu and senior center BeeJay Anya, who both pulled their name out of the NBA Draft on May 19, will help give NC State the option of redshirting center Lennard Freeman. The excitement is back after last year's difficult 16-17 campaign, which included going 5-13 in the ACC. Abu, who averaged 12.9 points and 8.8 rebounds per game last year, has high expectations for the 2016-17 campaign. "This is something I couldn't go away from, and something I couldn't turn my back on," Abu said. "I look forward to having a special season. I think everyone should be excited and be happy for what we have moving forward." The new NBA Draft process makes it easier for the players to know where they stand with pro teams, but also means col- lege coaches will have to wait until late May each year to finalize their rosters. Abu worked out for the Minnesota Tim- berwolves and hometown Boston Celtics, and learned what he needed to work on. His return will help the Wolfpack contend for a top-five spot in the ACC. "The last two years, I've improved in every area," Abu said. "The NBA is chang- ing. I see myself as a power forward who can be able to stretch the floor and make plays. They definitely want to see me put the ball on the floor more, and they want to see a consistent jump shot. "Those are all things I truly believe I can do here at NC State going forward." Gottfried half-joked that the doom and gloom of the offseason has been washed away. "We are excited about this obviously," Gottfried said. "We feel good. "I'm not one of those guys that ever bought into the sky is falling, but at same time we can all take a deep breath now." While Gottfried patiently waits to see if the 7-0, 228-pound Yurtseven is ruled eligible, DraftExpress.com has the Turkish center slotted for No. 16 overall in the 2017 NBA Draft. "Omer is a very skilled and very tal- ented guy," Gottfried said. "It's common that most international players, especially the European kids, are going to have to go through a process to make sure their amateurism is in order. We've done as much homework on this already as we can do. The process will play out, and we feel good." Gottfried also made a pair of changes to his coaching staff since the season ended. Assistant coaches Butch Pierre and Heath Schroyer have replaced Rob Moxley and Bobby Lutz, who were reassigned to dif- ferent roles at NCSU. "Both Heath and Butch have done a great job in a short amount of time," Gottfried said. "From recruiting to workouts with our players, they've both done a marvelous job on the floor. They also have connected with the current roster very well. They are building relationships." Schroyer used his past recruiting con- nections to help land Hicks, who is a 6-8, 220-pound power forward from Quitman, Miss. "He is a really good player, and he's go- ing to get a lot better," said Gottfried. "He has a great body and great athleticism. We are thrilled to have a guy like that join us in May." The 6-8, 210-pound Kapita originally signed with Arkansas in November. 2014, but didn't qualify academically. He at- tended DME Academy in Daytona Beach, Fla., which is coached by Chris Chaney. He verbally committed to SMU in Febru- ary, but didn't sign with the Mustangs. Pierre had signed four previous players from Chaney-led programs and closed the deal on Kapita. "Ted is a versatile and athletic addition who plays with a high motor, is a relentless defender, and can rebound," Gottfried said. Is your den dated? Don't huff and puff and blow it down… call Kasey at 336-456-8828 or 252-402-8420. Visit us on the web at WWW.CLERESTORYDESIGN.COM Junior power forward Abdul-Malik Abu — who, along with senior center BeeJay Anya, pulled his name out of the NBA Draft on May 19 — believes that the Wolfpack can have a special season in 2016-17. PHOTO BY KEN MARTIN