Costner Will Not Return for 2009-10

08-09 Basketball 09-10 Basketball73

costnerjpg I have made reference to this several times in comments, but I finally have a link to back up what I’ve heard from multiple sources:

NB: How many years are you planning on staying in college?
BC: This is my fourth year, so it’s probably my last year.

NB: Aren’t you a redshirt junior?
BC: Yeah, I am, but I’m graduating early, so I don’t really want to stay too far back.

NB: You don’t plan on doing a grad school year and playing your senior season [of eligibility]?
BC: No.

I don’t know anything about this particular website, but it’s 100% consistent with what we have heard all year. So, when you project the Wolfpack roster for next season, assume we will need to replace all of Costner’s offensive contributions (in addition to that of Fells and McCauley). That will be a significant challenge for the 2009-10 Wolfpack.

About BJD95

1995 NC State graduate, sufferer of Les and MOC during my entire student tenure. An equal-opportunity objective critic and analyst of Wolfpack sports.

08-09 Basketball 09-10 Basketball

73 Responses to Costner Will Not Return for 2009-10

  1. Rochester 01/29/2009 at 2:37 PM #

    Not surprising in the least, but we will miss him.

  2. UNC DonkeyPncher 01/29/2009 at 2:37 PM #

    I say “see ya later Brandon and can I help you pack for Europe?”. Although he has moments where he produces, most of the time when I watch him without the ball he seems extremely lazy and he is nowhere close to being the leader he should be at this point in his career at NC State. After a great freshman year he has pissed away a once promising tenure at NC State.

  3. BJD95 01/29/2009 at 2:39 PM #

    We’d be 0-6 without him. I’m glad he stuck around for 3 seasons, at least.

    Howell had better be ready to play right away…because he’s going to have to.

  4. Par Shooter 01/29/2009 at 2:40 PM #

    Brandon has given us 4 years and if he earns his degree and decides it’s in his best interest to move on then I thank him for his contributions and wish him the best. That being said, you’d really like to have a program where kids want to stay and play as long as possible and have that love for the school and their teammates and coaches. Sid has had BC for nearly 3 yrs now and apparently BC doesn’t have that feeling. That bothers me but its more a reflection on Sid & staff than on Costner.

  5. thekind 01/29/2009 at 2:42 PM #

    I for one have never seen a guy loaf like BC. Never.
    I can understand not having the talent to compete (I was at State when Les coached), but to loaf like BC is painful.

  6. Alpha Wolf 01/29/2009 at 2:48 PM #

    While I have been troubled at times by what seems to be a lack of effort on his part, lately he seems like he’s been playing his heart out.

    I wish him the best and hope that he understands that as an alum and a former player he will always have friends in Wolfpack Nation.

  7. Gene 01/29/2009 at 2:48 PM #

    Maybe the coaching staff feels they can land a big time recruit in Wall or Cousins and discussed with Costner his options and decided it best for everyone for him not to come back, thus freeing up a scholarship.

    Wish Brandon all the best in his future.

  8. ChiefJoJo 01/29/2009 at 2:48 PM #

    He must have decided a long time ago because his scholarship is the one offered to Favors and Cousins.

    BJD is right that we’d be awful without him. But he has definitley not played up to his capabilities for much of his time here, last year being example #1.

    Because he does have some unique skills for a big man, I could see an NBA team taking a chance on him in round 2. Most likely, he’ll be in Europe.

  9. El Scrotcho 01/29/2009 at 2:56 PM #

    He’s been an enigmatic player over his tenure…due to the horrendous guard play, I don’t think we’ll ever know what he really could have accomplished.

    Glad he’s getting his degree and will be a true alum. I can’t blame him for moving on…I certainly would be ready for something new.

  10. Ed89 01/29/2009 at 3:00 PM #

    Although you’d “really like to have a program where kids want to stay and play as long as possible and have that love for the school and their teammates and coaches,” I don’t think graduating on-time (in 4 years) and going to play professional ball is something that says he doesn’t love his school, his teammates or his coaches. We should NOT fault Costner AT ALL for deciding to go play pro ball (whether it’s the NBA or Europe). He’s been a great player for us – was injured his first year, played great his second year, was coming off an injury last year (and did not have a good year), and seems to be playing better each game this year. I think we should congratulate the kid on an outstanding career at NC State, and I’ll repeat, he’s GRADUATING ON-TIME. I wish him the best.

  11. SuperStuff 01/29/2009 at 3:19 PM #

    I love that he’s graduating on time. This is fantastic for him and helps our graduation rate. If you’ve got your degree and you can play ball making money you should go for it. He’ll have his degree to fall back on and that’s more than most players these days.

  12. Par Shooter 01/29/2009 at 3:25 PM #

    I wonder if we’ll honor him on sr. day. Am I remembering correctly that we honored Daniel Evans on sr. day last year since he was graduating and a 4th year player or do I have that wrong? I was out of the country and unable to attend that Md game (thank goodness) but I seem to recall some discussion of Evans being honored with the seniors.

  13. BAC79 01/29/2009 at 3:25 PM #

    You can’t fault his logic for leaving. He will graduate and why risk injury for another year when he can go to Europe or elsewhere to prepare for a possible NBA career.

    This just further illustrates that we need help now. If we can’t find help through recruitment, what is the downside for looking for a Ju co. player?

  14. packalum44 01/29/2009 at 3:26 PM #

    ^Gene,
    Maybe it went down that way. Maybe not. It is in our best interest if he stays, maybe not his. He isn’t having fun and he isn’t developing his skills. He doesn’t like it here whether it be Coach Lowe or not. Doesn’t really matter.

    IMO, he will play in Europe. He isn’t very athletic or strong. I hope he proves me wrong. Has he underachieved??? Marginally but that is coaching more than anything. I think our guys were over hyped during Sid’s first year. They put up good numbers b/c they played 38 minutes a game. We had a 6-7 man rotation and still barely put up enough points to compete. Costner was solid and can contribute. But he cannot take over games. He needs things to go right for him to put up 25+. This is fine. I wish other people would quit bashing him for underachieving b/c they set their expectations of him way to high b/c they perceived our players to be better than they really were b/c we are obsessed with stats and averaging 15 points as a freshman automatically makes us assume he will average 25 as a junior.

    I like Costner and wish him success. We will miss him badly next year. Smith and Howell will likely start with Horner coming off the bench. Maybe if Wall commits Costner will change his mind. I don’t think Cousins is coming here, Memphis likely. I find it so funny that some people get hyped for next year b/c we get one good guard but lose 2 solid post players. Next year we will cry out how important post players are to the college game…being a State fan is comical at times…

  15. Pack Leader 01/29/2009 at 3:47 PM #

    I say good riddance. honelsty BC has been over hyped his entire career. besides his lucky ACC tourney sids first year, he has been a lazy turnover machine that tries to play as a guard at the 4 spot. he shoots too many 3s and doesnt have the knowledge on how to rebound. he cant handle the ball or pass the ball. coming out of high school he was one of the top players in the land, and i understand he prob would have fitted better in herbs system, but he is another postionless player who does what he wants on the floor. He lacks the key areas that are needed to make it in the nba at 6’8. we will miss McCauley farrrrrr more than we will miss BC. In my opinion he never cared about state like others on the team do, and i can quote him since his freshman year talking about leaving or transfering. ok friends , im interested where will he play in the nba??? power forward?? so he guards amrre studamire or paul gausl??? or small forward where he guards lebron and carmelo????? it wont happen. i know he can shoot better than him, but to me he will be another sean may. weight troubled, overrated college player who doesnt have a position. dont get me wrong i root for him and want him to do great this year…… but thats only because i love nc state.

  16. 4in12 01/29/2009 at 3:50 PM #

    “I for one have never seen a guy loaf like BC. Never.”

    Watch some film of Lorenzo Charles. I love him for his legendary part in NCSU history but I never saw him move faster than a trot.

  17. zahadum 01/29/2009 at 4:08 PM #

    I’ve mostly been a Brandon fan during his time here, but after reading that interview I have to wonder if the guy is seriously delusional. His basketball IQ is a strength? And he’s pretty good with his right hand? The one he’s never used yet while he’s been here?

  18. harrisek 01/29/2009 at 4:22 PM #

    “Watch some film of Lorenzo Charles. I love him for his legendary part in NCSU history but I never saw him move faster than a trot.”

    At 6’7″ and 265 lbs, a trot was full speed for Lorenzo Charles. 🙂

  19. choppack1 01/29/2009 at 4:41 PM #

    At this moment, right now, we are not prepared for Costner’s departure.

    While I think Howell may eventually be a solid player for us, I am not sure if he can be an effective starter from day 1. I haven’t seen him play, but I’ve read some reviews of his game – and the fact that he’s ALREADY had some back problems, well, that’s not a good sign when a kid is 17-18 years old.

    We’ll see. A lot of folks knock him, but I don’t know if any of us here have been through what he’s been through – and I’m proud of him for graduating and staying out of trouble here in Raleigh. Hopefully, the rest of the season will be a good memory for him.

  20. wufpup76 01/29/2009 at 4:45 PM #

    This is unfortunate …

    The season’s not over, but good luck Brandon

    I know I’m in the distinct minority, but I will miss you

    I’ve never thought that Brandon loafed or was lazy, but he certainly had a tough time last season (injury included) … Biggest, easiest scapegoat on the team – he “looks” like he is lazy, so he must be – that’s probably why we sucked so bad last season, sure

    Ironic that if he hadn’t gone off in the 2007 postseason he probably never would have been set up for such an overwhelming skewering both last season and this season … Anyone care to tell me who’s been our best player has been this season – if not Brandon, then who? And yes, we more than likely would have an overall losing record and at the very least one less conference victory this season w/out Brandon

    Well, this is it … HWSNBN’s guys will (mostly) be gone, then at least THAT debate will be over starting next season

  21. tcthdi-tgsf-twhwtnc 01/29/2009 at 4:45 PM #

    Costner, when he plays, has been a great asset to NC State. It is too bad he didn’t take the opportunity he earned and give 100% everyday.

    I wish him the best in whatever he decides to do but unfortunately for him I don’t think many NBA teams are going to be interested in someone that where’s the nickname “The Big Lazy” with pride.

    Costner has been one of the bright spots at times for State recently and maybe with an all out effort in February and early March he can help State get back to the NIT.

  22. Noah 01/29/2009 at 5:00 PM #

    I can easily think of a dozen players that loaf far more than Costner.

    There were times when Ernie Meyers was here where he looked like he was looking for dandelions or four-leaf clovers out on the perimeter.

  23. CStanley 01/29/2009 at 5:04 PM #

    No reason Sid shouldn’t be able to recruit now. Playing time is W.A.O. and in abundance for next year.

    This will hurt.

  24. wolfpackbball 01/29/2009 at 7:06 PM #

    I’m with you in the minority pup. Last year was one when I was pissed at most of our players, not just BC. I wish he was going to be here next season. It is going to sting next year without Brandon.

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  1. Final Year For Costner? at 850 & 620 THE BLOG - 01/29/2009

    2KqYml Thank you ever so for you blog.Really looking forward to read more. Really Great.

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