The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/743343
128 ■ THE WOLFPACKER ■ BASKETBALL RECRUITING ticular contest because the Wolfpack had their own game that day. Gottfried followed up by attending East Wake at Garner Jan. 26. Allen, in turn, came to the Miami at NC State game Jan. 30. His hard work over the last year culmi- nated in getting a Wolfpack offer June 10. Allen credits playing outdoors for hon- ing his scoring skills. "I would play at the parks," Allen said. "I started the floater maybe in middle school. I just started using the floater be- cause I was getting my shot blocked." Allen has also known a pair of NC State players since he was 9 years old — for- mer star small forward T.J. Warren of the Phoenix Suns and fifth-year shooting guard Terry Henderson. Allen, Henderson and Warren all are products of the Garner Road traveling team organization. Allen was able to spend time with Hen- derson and freshman point guard Markell Johnson during his official visit. "Markell was saying it was a cool place," Allen said. "It's going to be fun because he's an athletic guard, and I'm a shooter. We'll rub off well." NC State has at least three more schol- arships available, but that number could easily grow with players departing to the NBA. Allen is well aware of one of those NBA hopefuls, freshman point guard Den- nis Smith of Fayetteville, N.C. "I've been watching him since I was in the Holiday Invitational my freshman year, and he played [UNC freshman] Sev- enth Woods," Allen said. "That is when I started to know him. Then in the AAU season with Team Loaded, I watched him a few times." Allen said that he would be back in Ra- leigh for a NC State home game at some point in November and December. He's looking forward to when he gets to play at PNC Arena. "It is going to be a new life, just by be- ing committed to NC State," Allen said. Class Of 2017 Targets NC State expects to sign a big recruit- ing class, but headed into the stretch before the Nov. 9-16 early signing pe- riod still trying to lock down more com- mitments. NC State has hosted four players on official visits that are still considering the Wolfpack — five-star point guard Collin Sexton, four-star wing Charles O'Bannon, and three-star power forwards Mayan Kiir and Nicolas Claxton. NC State is also on the short list for a pair of players who could decide in the Securities offered through Raymond James Financial Services, Inc., member FINRA/SIP ©2014 Raymond James Financial Services, Inc., member FINRA/SIPC 14-BR8HO-0007 AL 8/14 F I N A N C I A L G R O U P Proud supporter of NC State Wolfpack Club BLAKE PARO Financial Advisor NCSU Class of 2003 KATHY DUCKWORTH Registered Sales Assistant ALEX MIHAJLOV Branch Manager T 919.861.8212 www.olderaleighfinancial.com GETTING TO THE HEART OF THE MATTER GETTING TO THE HEART OF THE MATTER