The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/896287
54 ■ THE WOLFPACKER BASKETBALL PREVIEW 2017-18 MEET THE PACK A Closer Look At The 2017-18 NC State Men's Basketball Team PHOTO BY KEN MARTIN 54 ■ THE WOLFPACKER ■ Abdul-Malik Abu 0 • PF Sr. • Boston • 6-8 • 240 Analysis: Two years ago, Abu nearly left NC State for the pros. Now he enters his senior season as the most established piece in the frontcourt that will be counted upon to lead the team while the backcourt takes time to jell. Abu, who showcased an improved midrange game as a junior, could be a good fit for new head coach Kevin Keatts' fast-paced offense. Career Highlights: Last year, led NCSU in rebounding for the second consecutive season (7.0 boards per game) and was one of four players to average double digits in scoring (11.8 points per contest) … Had four double-doubles … Would have ranked fourth in field goal percentage (52.9 percent) in the ACC, but fell short of the minimum attempts to qualify … Had a career-high 25 points in a win over Montana … As a sophomore, was second on the team in scoring (12.9 points per game) and led the Pack in rebounding (8.8 boards per contest) … Finished fifth in rebounding in the ACC and third in offensive boards (3.58 per game) … Had 14 double-doubles … Started 22 games as a freshman … Posted 13 points and 12 boards in the NCAA Tournament win over LSU … Had a season-best 19 points at Miami … Rated by Rivals.com as a four-star prospect and the No. 45 overall player in the 2014 class … Played three seasons at Kimball Union Academy in Meriden, N.H., scoring 1,284 career points and leading his team to a 61-21 record … Averaged 24.5 points and 10.5 rebounds per game as a senior. Coach's Corner: "I think he could have a breakout year for us. With his athletic ability, he could be really good for us." — Kevin Keatts Personal: Abu is a devout Muslim who prays five times a day and fasts during Ramadan, which is the ninth month of the year in the Islamic cal- endar … Majoring in communications … Son of Rotimi and Helen Abu … Birthday is Sept. 16. STATISTICS Year G-GS MPG PPG RPG APG FG% 3FG% FT% 2014-15 36-22 19.1 6.4 4.8 0.6 46.8 20.0 56.3 2015-16 33-33 28.3 12.9 8.8 1.3 49.0 — 63.0 2016-17 32-31 28.5 11.8 7.0 1.1 52.9 0.0 71.7 Ten Questions With Abdul-Malik Abu What's your biggest pet peeve? Failing. If you could pick your NBA team, which one would you play for? Celtics. Who is your favorite non-basketball athlete? Tom Brady. Who is the best basketball player of all time? I am going to give it to Mi- chael Jordan because he is greatness, but I feel LeBron James is on his way. When did you first dunk a basketball? When I just turned 14. If you do not see me on the basketball court, where would you most likely find me? In the recording studio singing R&B songs. Who is the funniest player on the team? Probably Markell [Johnson]. In a few words, what was your first impression of coach Kevin Keatts? Certified. If you knew you could have only one last meal, what would it be? My mom's cooking. Is there was a race on the team to see who was the fastest player, who'd win? I'd win.