The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/916614
96 ■ THE WOLFPACKER BY JACEY ZEMBAL D erek Funderburk, a 6-9, 219-pound freshman inside player at Northwest Florida State College, said the trust factor with the Wolfpack coaches led him to sign with NC State Nov. 14. He will have three years of eligibility remaining when he gets to Raleigh. "I really thought it was a good fit for me, and it was something I wanted to get out of the way early, so I didn't have to worry about recruiting later," said Funderburk, 20. "Out of all the schools that were recruiting me, NC State was the best one by far. "I couldn't pass up this opportunity to play in the ACC and play against the best competi- tion arguably in college basketball." Funderburk's connection with assistant coach A.W. Hamilton, sophomore point guard Markell Johnson and freshman point guard Braxton Beverly put the Wolfpack in the driver's seat. Funderburk was coached by Hamilton during his one-year stint as a senior year at Chatham (Va.) Hargrave Military Academy, and he also played with Beverly that season. Johnson and Funderburk both hail from Cleveland, and have known each other since the seventh grade. Funderburk was an age group ahead of Johnson on the King James traveling team in the Nike Elite Youth Bas- ketball League. "Those connections helped a lot," Funder- burk said. "Those were two guys that I trust a lot. I trust Braxton as a point guard, and I trust Coach Hamilton to care for me and the rest of the players. "I also knew Markell, and we have gone through some of the same things." Funderburk is part of a five-man recruiting class that also features Fayetteville (N.C.) Northwood Temple Academy senior centers Ian Steere and Immanuel Bates, senior power forward Jericole Hellems of St. Louis Chami- nade Prep and senior small forward Saddiq Bey of Washington (D.C.) Sidwell Friends. Rivals.com ranks the haul No. 17 overall nationally in the class of 2018. Utah sophomore small forward transfer Devon Daniels and UNC Wilmington ju- nior shooting guard transfer C.J. Bryce will also be eligible next year after sitting out this season due to NCAA rules. Funderburk officially visited NC State Oct. 27-29. He wasn't familiar with first-year head coach Kevin Keatts, but came away impressed with him. "I didn't really know him until I came and visited," Funderburk said. "He's going to let you play offense as long as you play defense. He is a big defensive guy. "I learned his whole coaching staff is from Hargrave, including him. He can relate to me, and I learned a lot about him. I like him a lot." It also helped that his parents, who ac- companied him on the visit, liked NC State. "They probably enjoyed it as much as me," Funderburk said. "They didn't have any complaints about it. They loved the staff and the facilities." Funderburk was a standout early in his prep career at Lake- wood (Ohio) St. Ed- ward High, helping the program win a state ti- tle in 2014. Ohio State zeroed in on him from a young age, and he picked the Buckeyes in April 2015 over several Big Ten colleges and Xavier. Funderburk left St. Edward to play his se- nior year at Hargrave, helping the team finish 47-1 and win the prep school national title. He averaged 18 points, nine rebounds and three assists per game that season, and was ranked No. 77 overall in the class of 2016 by Rivals.com. "It was hard, but it changed me for the bet- ter," Funderburk said. "Braxton was my guy. I liked playing him with him at Hargrave. He's a great point guard." Ohio State elected to redshirt Funderburk his freshman year, while head coach Thad Matta went 17-15 overall and 7-11 in the Big Ten. The Buckeyes surprisingly fired Matta June 5 and hired Butler coach Chris Holtmann less than a week later. Funderburk was suspended shortly thereafter and given his release along with Beverly June 30. Funderburk elected to attend Northwest Florida State College in Niceville, Fla., where former Providence and Central Flor- ida assistant Steve DeMeo is the head coach. Funderburk was averaging 9.9 points and 5.2 rebounds per game while shooting 46.3 percent from the field and 75.5 percent at the free throw line through Dec. 2. "What is driving me is to be the best player that I can be," Funderburk said. "I feel like I'll bring intensity and passion when I get to NC State. "I look forward to the level of competi- tion and just everything to get back to that stage." ■ BIG PICKUP Transfer Derek Funderburk, A 6-9 Inside Player, Is Expected To Make An Instant Impact Next Season ■ BASKETBALL RECRUITING "I couldn't pass up this opportunity to play in the ACC and play against the best competition arguably in college basketball." ■ Funderburk As a senior at Hargrave Academy in Chatham, Va., Funderburk averaged 18 points and nine re- bounds a game for a team that finished 47-1 and won the prep school national title. PHOTO COURTESY OHIO STATE ATHLETICS