The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/81131
program and maybe a change in the direc- tion," Gottfried noted. Hoping to fill those roles next season will be freshmen Rodney Purvis and Tyler Lewis. Purvis could be the favorite to take Williams' starting position. The product of Upper Room Christian Academy in Ra- leigh was a McDonald's All-American and co-MVP of the Jordan Brand Classic. Lewis, a native of Statesville, N.C., is a pure point guard who could slide into Johnson's role. Considered one of the top passers in the 2012 class, Lewis was also a McDonald's All-American after playing his senior season at Oak Hill Academy in Mouth of Wilson, Va. The Pack will not have much depth be- hind the threesome of Brown, Purvis and Lewis in the backcourt after the seldom- used Jaqawn Raymond decided to transfer. He played in just 11 games as a freshman, scoring a total of nine points. ■ Frontcourt Three starters who all averaged double digits in scoring will be back. Highlighting the returnees is rising junior C.J. Leslie, who for the second straight year decided against turning pro to come back for an- other season at NC State. "It was a tough decision, it is a big deci- sion to make for anybody," Leslie stated. "I just figured we started a good thing last year, and I might as well finish it." Leslie was second-team All-ACC last season after averaging 14.7 points and 7.3 rebounds per game. He was third in the league in field goal percentage at 52.5 percent and led the Pack with 54 blocked shots. Leslie will be joined by a pair of rising seniors in small forward Scott Wood and low-post presence Richard Howell. Wood averaged 12.4 points per game and continued to prove himself as one of the top shooters in the league. He connected on 95 three-pointers and shot 40.9 percent from long range. Wood led the ACC in both three-pointers made and also three-point percentage among those who took enough shots to qualify. The 95 threes were the most ever for a junior at NC State, passing Rodney Mon- roe's record of 84. Wood's 230 career made-three pointers is already second-most in Pack history and puts him within striking distance of Monroe's school record of 322. Howell averaged 10.8 points and a team- high 9.2 rebounds a game last year. Only the UNC duo of Tyler Zeller and John Hen- son averaged more boards among ACC players, and both Henson and Zeller are departing. Howell, who had 10 double- www.atlantic-hydraulics.com Call 800-682-8848 We are committed to getting you back to work quickly with Atlantic REMAN units Reman and Return-R&R New parts and new units Factory trained expertise We offer very competitive prices, much less than the OEM dealer. Find out what our loyal customers know—our personal service separates us from the rest! $ MOST VEHICLES CTC524 3495 CAR CARE PACKAGE Good Oil Change, Tire Rotation & Balance, Air Pressure Check, Alignment/Suspension Check, Check Condition of Battery, Alternator, Cooling System, Tires, Brakes, Hoses, Belts, Wipers, Air Filter, Cabin Air Filter, and Brake, Transmission and Power Steering Fluids. COUPON MUST BE PRESENTED AT TIME OF PURCHASE. NO OTHER DISCOUNTS APPLY; EXP 12.31.12 MAY 2012 ■ 49