The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/743343
NOVEMBER 2016 ■ 61 PHOTO BY KEN MARTIN NOVEMBER 2016 ■ 61 ■ BeeJay Anya 21 • C Sr. • Washington, D.C. • 6-9 • 344 Analysis: In three years at NC State, Anya has established himself as the premier shot blocker in school history. The key for Anya expanding his game has always been contingent upon his conditioning level. With potentially more depth available in the post this season, his role could be centered around his defense in the paint. Career Highlights: Became NC State's all-time leading shot blocker during his junior season and has 210 entering this year … Started 17 games last season and averaged 2.2 blocks per contest, second highest in the ACC … Scored a career-high 17 points in the win over South Florida … Selected by the media as the ACC Sixth Man of the Year as a sophomore … Blocked 91 shots that year, second most ever in a season for a Wolfpacker and the most for a sophomore in school history … Set a 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 … Played in 33 games and was a key reserve for much of his fresh - man 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 Hyattsville, 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. Coach's Corner: "He's got a high basketball IQ. He picks up everything quickly. He knows fundamentally what we're trying to do." — Mark Gottfried Personal: Given name is Chukwunonso BeeJay Nduka-Anya … Has three sisters … Majoring in communications. 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 2015-16 33-17 23.4 4.7 5.3 2.2 57.5 — 43.0 Ten Questions With BeeJay Anya What is your hidden talent? I can sing, I can dance, I can act. I have a lot of hidden talents. What sports icon would you like to have dinner with? Mu - hammad Ali. If you weren't wearing No. 21, what number would you want? Probably 23 or 1. Who is the best dunker on the team? It's between Abdul-Malik Abu and Dennis Smith Jr. What's your favorite magazine? Sports Illustrated. How many pair of shoes do you think you currently have? Close to 100 or more. What's your favorite city you have ever visited? Houston. Down one in the national title game with one second left and two free throws, who on the team do you want taking the shots? Me, 100 percent. How would you describe your personality in one word? Loud. Who is the best bowler on the team? Maverick [Rowan] is good at a bunch of random things, so probably him. BASKETBALL PREVIEW 2016-17