Pack Basketball picks up transformational commitment!

Basketball Recruiting Mark Gottfried24

Things suddenly get exciting around the NC State Basketball program!

After months of bad news and head-scratching changes and departures, the Wolfpack picked up a HUGE (figuratively and literally) Letter of Intent from five-star center, Omer Yurtseven of Turkey. Yurtseven is 7 feet and 240 pounds and many recruiting experts project that he could have been an NBA lottery pick this season and would have been a Top 10 player in this graduating high school class. Heck, just this weekend Yurtseven scored 91 points and grabbed 28 rebounds in a league game in Turkey. Yurtseven was recruited by the likes of Kentucky, UNC-CHeats, Ohio State, Texas, Arizona, Oregon, Miami, California, Arizona State and Georgia Tech.

It is not hyperbole to feel as though this could be a ‘program changing commitment’ when you consider that Pack was looking at a potential roster for next season that included only handful of players that could labeled as ACC caliber. Torin Dorn has not yet played in the ACC; BeeJay Anya and Malik-Abdul Abu still have their names in the NBA Draft pool; Lennard Freeman is still injured; and Dennis Smith and Terry Henderson are coming off injury. Through this lens, Maverick Rowan is the ONLY uninjured player ‘firmly’ still on NC State’s roster who has proven that he can play in the Atlantic Coast Conference.

Obviously, there is a lot of reason to breathe some fresh air today!

Additionally, over the weekend State received a commitment from 3-star power forward, Darius Hicks from Mississippi. Hicks is 6’7 and about 205 pounds and had originally committed to the Mississippi State Bulldogs before recently re-opening his commitment. He is barely listed as a Top 175 player and isn’t expected to contribute much in his first couple of seasons, but his commitment was necessary to serve as insurance in light of the Martin twins departure; Lennard Freenan’s injury; and Malik Abdul-Abu and BeeJay Anya’s current NBA Draft status.

The next question is – can the recent string of good news serve to incent Malik Abdul-Abu to come back for his junior season? Many analysts think there is a chance that Abu goes undrafted in this year’s NBA draft if he chooses to leave his name in the draft.

There is a realtime update to be offered on this front. Check out Abu’s tweet right here:

State’s work may not be done on the recruiting trail as Salt Lake Community College’s 3F / 4F, Gibson Johnson, will is officially visiting Raleigh today. Johnson is 6’8, 225 pounds and is choosing between State and Hawaii. He will have two years of eligibility remaining. When you have as many scholarships available as State currently has; and when the program is in such a weird and risky transitional period; I say you take mature, experienced, two-year post players and don’t think twice about it.

So now…after all of that excitement…I leave you with:

About StateFans

'StateFansNation' is the shared profile used by any/all of the dozen or so authors that contribute to the blog. You may not always agree with us, but you will have little doubt about where we stand on most issues. Please follow us on Twitter and FaceBook

Basketball Recruiting Mark Gottfried

Home › Forums › Pack Basketball picks up transformational commitment!

Viewing 25 posts - 1 through 25 (of 25 total)
  • Author
    Posts
  • 05/16/2016 at 1:18 PM #103447
    StateFans
    Keymaster

    Things suddenly get exciting around the NC State Basketball program! The 2016 class is as good of a class as I've evaluated & Omer Yurtseven w
    [See the full post at: Pack Basketball picks up transformational commitment!]

    05/16/2016 at 1:26 PM #103449
    VaWolf82
    Keymaster

    When you have as many scholarships available as State currently has; and when the program is in such a weird and risky transitional period; I say you take mature, experienced, two-year post players and don’t think twice about it.

    State seems to meet the first two conditions almost every year. With high school players looking to leave as soon as possible, there is no real down side to recruiting JC players that you think can contribute immediately.

    05/16/2016 at 2:19 PM #103452
    gso packbacker
    Participant

    Yes, good news for a change!

    05/16/2016 at 2:19 PM #103453
    Pack1997
    Participant

    Big Commitment for the staff and program!

    Clouds aren’t that dark anymore.

    05/16/2016 at 2:24 PM #103454
    VaWolf82
    Keymaster

    Didn’t Atsur have to sit out a handful of games at the start of his freshman year because of his club basketball team?

    I’ll be glad when he passes the NCAA clearing house.

    05/16/2016 at 2:54 PM #103458
    StateRed44
    Participant

    Wow! Now that’s what I’m talking about. Looks like a bit of an uptick here boys.

    05/16/2016 at 2:58 PM #103461
    PackerInRussia
    Participant

    Enroll him in fake classes, quick! Then the NCAA can’t touch him.

    05/16/2016 at 3:09 PM #103465
    WV Wolf
    Keymaster

    Atsur had to sit out 3 games.

    Deniz Kilicli at WVU was from Turkey, had to sit out 20 games back in 2009.

    Enes Kanter wasn’t eligible at Kentucky.

    So who knows. Hopefully Yurtseven won’t have any issues, but this is NC State we’re talking about.

    05/16/2016 at 3:15 PM #103467
    StateRed44
    Participant

    Send in the team that got Purvis eligible

    05/16/2016 at 3:17 PM #103468
    PackerInRussia
    Participant

    Just as long as he’s eligible by March.

    05/16/2016 at 4:08 PM #103476
    ryebread
    Participant

    If we get Yurt cleared it looks like a one year window to make some real noise. It could be the type of thing that spring boards the program.

    I want to see some Amoeba zone defense and a return to a recognizable offense. Do those two things, push the tempo, fill out the roster, get Yurt cleared and it’s Elite 8 or bust.

    05/16/2016 at 5:37 PM #103484
    freshmanin83
    Participant

    From grin and bear it to elite 8 or bust is a seemingly short trip. : )

    05/16/2016 at 5:54 PM #103485
    TheCOWDOG
    Moderator
    VaWolf82 wrote:

    Didn’t Atsur have to sit out a handful of games at the start of his freshman year because of his club basketball team?

    Speaking of Engin Atsur, someone owes that boy big time.
    The Guiding Light.

    05/16/2016 at 6:40 PM #103487
    MrPlywood
    Participant

    Funny, he Yurtseven into my noggin’ the other night and I found that story about his 91 points that I posted in the other thread. I was wondering about the effect playing with DSJ might have on his decision. That and evidently the Atsur connection might have turned the tide. Fingers crossed with the eligibility.

    05/16/2016 at 8:39 PM #103496
    Adventuroo
    Participant

    This got lost in Never-Never land….so if it pops up….sorry about the repeat.

    Positive. He will make an immediate impact on the team.

    Negative. Getting him “eligible”. The Turkish Team “contributed” a lot to his income. THAT will be a red flag for the NCAA…obviously not for UNC players, but for us. Don’t know anything about the academics, but the $$ issue, will be a BIG hurdle.

    Overall. Yes, this is good news. However, the landscape has not changed. Put very nicely by folks permitted at practices, the program is in a complete state of panic. The arguing amongst the coaches has been resolved. We now have TWO superior recruiters. We have an offensive coach. We have NO defensive or X & O coach/strategy.

    One poster observed that the program was in the SCRAMBLE mode….others used different terms. Obviously Coach Gottfried can pull some rabbits out of hats and has a golden tongue….which explains WHY he has talked himself out of difficult situations before.

    Don’t know about Malik….maybe someone does. Word on the street was that he is gone…but Corchiani says (or said) NOPE.

    Hope Corch is right.

    We will, as many pointed out, have one year to prosper with our new recruit. If he and DSJ jump ship, then what is left in the cupboard….??

    Time will tell

    05/16/2016 at 8:46 PM #103497
    MrPlywood
    Participant

    Is the team practicing now? Does that include Abu and Anya?

    05/16/2016 at 10:48 PM #103503
    ryebread
    Participant

    83: Don’t get me wrong. My opinion of the head man has not changed one bit. I’ve said in other threads that I’ve reached s zen place on what is and will be as long as Yow is here. As long as Arch is at Dayton and not a high major, then what will be will be with is and we will wait this out.

    I see a one year window. We’ve effectively pushed all in but we’re holding a pair of Kings (2 potential lottery picks). Get Abu and Anya back and that’s enough talent to go to the Elite 8 in the current state of college basketball. It’s up to the staff to make it happen.

    I’m a little worried about the “no defensive coach” comments. Heath came with a rep for defense and his teams at UT Martin seemed to win with defense.

    05/17/2016 at 6:40 AM #103504
    PackerInRussia
    Participant

    How about if the NCAA doesn’t clear him, just play him any way and tell them to go jump in a lake (but in a much more PR appropriate way).

    05/17/2016 at 7:00 AM #103506
    Aeight
    Participant

    This great news but pay attention to what happens now. A #6 recruiting class in the nation is threat to the blue bloods and they and the media will do everything to stop it. They can’t allow NC State to rise. It’s ok if we win a little, even go to the NCAA tourney, but to threaten their position as basketball elites? There is going to be an all out assault from the local media, the N&O and WRAL, against this young man and his family’s financial records, and the team he played for in Turkey. They will also hound the NCAA to the point of under pressure making a decision, doing an extensive investigation, considering heresay evidence, whatever they can to disrupt this young man’s acceptance or even denial of admission. The media’s actions will make unc’s investigation look like child’s play because of the intensity and swiftness of action. It always happens with us. Stay tuned.

    05/17/2016 at 7:28 AM #103508
    Rick
    Keymaster
    ryebread wrote:

    83: Don’t get me wrong. My opinion of the head man has not changed one bit. I’ve said in other threads that I’ve reached s zen place on what is and will be as long as Yow is here. As long as Arch is at Dayton and not a high major, then what will be will be with is and we will wait this out.

    I see a one year window. We’ve effectively pushed all in but we’re holding a pair of Kings (2 potential lottery picks). Get Abu and Anya back and that’s enough talent to go to the Elite 8 in the current state of college basketball. It’s up to the staff to make it happen.

    I’m a little worried about the “no defensive coach” comments. Heath came with a rep for defense and his teams at UT Martin seemed to win with defense.

    I have a very similar mind set with a little less zen. The comments about the coaching staff being in panic mode are concerning. If there was tension and bickering, that could explain the mass exodus of players.

    05/17/2016 at 7:50 AM #103510
    BJD95
    Keymaster

    Not the local media, but I have every expectation that Swoffy is calling his palz at the NCAA to say this must be stopped.

    And if he’s not cleared, I certainly DO like the idea of playing him anyway and being the canary in the coal mine of blowing the whole facade up. That would be sooooooo much fun.

    /would never happen, we always do exactly as we are told

    05/17/2016 at 7:52 AM #103511
    ncsu1987
    Participant

    ^I’m hoping that the boss ordered a house cleaning (of sorts) after last year, and what we’ve seen in the off season is the result. From my perspective, I like what I see from an executive management standpoint: recognition of an issue, alleged review and clarification of expectation, followed by significant change.

    Concerned about the “no defensive coach” as well. I, too, thought that Heath was bringing some chops…

    ^and Beej: I would 100% support your scenario. But it won’t happen…

    05/17/2016 at 8:02 AM #103512
    Rick
    Keymaster

    I am not buying into the conspiracy theories. We do most of the damage to ourselves, we don’t have to worry about others doing it to us.

    I also would love to see us poke the NCAA in the eye but yeah, we aren’t going to do anything.

    05/17/2016 at 4:06 PM #103457
    Adventuroo
    Participant

    Couple of comments…

    Positive. GOOD that we got the Turk. I say that with NO ethnic slur intended. He will be a GREAT asset. Supposedly from the summary on the David Glenn show this afternoon, he will be a short timer. He is considered, if he develops as planned, to be a Lottery Pick and will go pro ASAP.

    Negative. The Turkish Team provided him with all sorts of BENEFITS. It will take some time, and considerable effort, to get his NCAA eligibility “authorized”. Thus, the Joe Gigglio tweet.

    Comments….

    Some one on another thread said that Coach Gottfried was in the “Scramble” mode. I was told by a reliable source that the term was more like “total state of panic” after the coaching upheaval and also Malik’s sudden attention to the NBA. I have NOT received any feedback since about a week after Malik’s decision and have NO INFO on whether he will be back.

    Perhaps the coaching changes will calm down the practice climate….which got right hostile and also lead to some dissention in the team.

    Finally, I guess that Coach Gottfried is pretty good at “scrambling” as he has had to scramble out of some very unpleasant situations over the past and usually talks his way out. I was told that HE personally was doing the recruiting of the REAL talent and was like the “new car sales manager” or CLOSER. Think flying into a school campus on a copter to “sign up” a player.

    MY personal concern is WHAT we will do from a total program standpoint. We do not, according to the source, have anyone on the staff that is an X & O guy or a defensive specialist. Jim Laranaga was brought up in the conversation as a coach who could figure out HOW to staff and execute using the available talent he had….as well as recruit to JuCo’s to fill in the voids.

    That seems like something that is critical here and it is discouraging that I do not see that insight….but, hey, I’m only a fan….and not a coach.

    05/18/2016 at 1:35 PM #103564
    Gowolves
    Participant

    I know someone mentioned this but I want to give it more discussion.

    Let’s say that the NCAA comes back and decides not to clear him. Maybe he took a little cash to support his family. Maybe his grades don’t translate to him being eligible his first year and since he is one and done he sits out and goes pro the next year. Let’s assume he is a really good student and good kid. Why not go to bat for him?

    Someone said half heartedly to play him anyway. I say with all seriousness, yes do play him! I mean it. Ramifications and all. What’s the worst that could happen? We forfeit the games he played in? Hell we might lose those games if he doesn’t play. So what’s the next thing they could do? Ban us from the NCAA? Well let’s take a script from the UNC program. Let’s take this mess to court. Get a court injunction or self report some bogus allegation and extend the process a few more years. Tie it up for years to come. Fine the program? Set the money aside and let’s see how it unfolds. If at the end the Pack is found to be guilty then who cares. By that time we can self impose some post season ban that means absolutely nothing and hopefully by then the program will be up and running. This assumes that Gott can continue to recruit under the cloud of investigation. Gott isn’t Roy and NCSU isn’t UNC. Thank god! I say put all the chips in!

    I am very serious about this. The NCAA is on it’s way out. Let’s keep the assault up.

  • Author
    Posts
Viewing 25 posts - 1 through 25 (of 25 total)
  • You must be logged in to reply to this topic.