Big Couple of Days for State Athletics

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Copeland Cleared to Play in 2013

So just as I was finishing berating that NCAA on twitter for the punishment (or lack there-of) to the University of Oregon, the NCAA drops some good news to the way of NC State fans as West Virginia transfer Travares Copeland tweeted the following Travares Copeland Tweet.

The speedster from Florida had decided to transfer from WVa because of an ill family member, who has recently passed, and instantly connected with Coach D and the rest of the staff. So much so he canceled the rest of his visits and committed to NC State. He’s already enrolled at State and has excited the coaches with what he’s been able to do in his short time here. I assume you’ll see him lined up in the slot for Matt Canada’s spread offense but the converted high school quarterback has a skill set that could see him all over the field.

This is a big win for State in an area where we have notoriously lost battles with the NCAA and immediately it made me think of this clip.

Here is a clip of Copeland’s Highlight reel from high school.

State in the NBA Draft

It’s been a long time since State fans have had a rooting interest in the NBA Draft, five years to be exact, but that will all change tonight with 4 potential players up to be drafted. Lorenzo Brown, CJ Leslie, Richard Howell and Scott Wood all hope to be taken in tonight’s draft. According to NBADraft.net‘s mock draft Brown and Leslie are projecting to go #37 and #38 respectively. As for Howell & Wood both provide a unique skill set but according to scouts don’t have the complete package, so let’s hope a couple teams give 2 of State’s all-time favorites a shot. Earlier in the season I was able to talk to a scout for the Heat and while he was there watching Brown he mentioned he wasn’t a huge fan of Leslie’s body language and that Howell was the heart and soul of this team. He also went on to say that if Howell had Leslie’s body, he’d be a top 10 pick for sure. Probably not something we all don’t know but he was able to pick up on that very quickly which I thought was interesting.

Here’s a few draft videos that we’ve found and even though they all feature JR Reid, a Hole, I’ll post them because he does a good job breaking down our guys:

How do you all feel about our guys’ chance tonight in the draft? Who do you compare their games most closely to?

More #RedLight?
We’ve learned this weekend is setting up to be another big weekend for State football recruiting. We’ve talked about it in some recent posts but stay tuned this weekend for more!

About JackWolf

I'm an unapologetic NC State fan but also consider myself a rational one. Hit me up on twitter if you want to talk @NCStateFootball

'13 Football Alums Pro Sports

94 Responses to Big Couple of Days for State Athletics

  1. bsly 06/28/2013 at 7:51 AM #

    CJL may have potential but it goes to show you what your attitude can do for you. No one wants to take a chance on a guy that goes emo, screams, and pumps his fists at the refs when he doesn’t get a call.

    Maybe I’m crazy but I dont think the charlotte pick was all that bad. They needed a big man. Zeller was arguable the best offensive big man in the draft.

  2. Tau837 06/28/2013 at 8:49 AM #

    “This hurts recruiting badly.”

    I disagree. State hasn’t had any significant draft picks for a long time, yet recruiting has been great recently.

  3. Avid109 06/28/2013 at 9:10 AM #

    This ought to serve as a lesson to players who think that they’re great and only need to make a half-hearted effort while playing in college. Attitude is important. Physical skills alone are not enough to make it in the pros.

  4. Khan 06/28/2013 at 9:11 AM #

    It would be hard for me to believe that anyone is actually surprised by the results of the draft as it pertains to the available State players.

    And I also agree that this isn’t catestrophic for recruiting.

  5. packalum44 06/28/2013 at 9:27 AM #

    This is not the first or last time a talented player goes undrafted.

    Though it most certainly hurt his feelings and ego, perhaps that is exactly what CJ needs.

    The 2 round cutoff is somewhat arbitrary. Being drafted in the 2nd round and being signed to a team undrafted really makes no difference.

    Howell will NOT play significant minutes in the NBA. He CAN’T defend!!! Rebounding is great, but you HAVE to play defense if that is your specialist role. He’s 6’7″ guys. The shortest guy he’ll go against has 3 inches on him and will be more offensively skilled than anyone he played against in college. He got abused by talented post players last year. Short, no wingspan, not quick on his feet and no leaping ability.

  6. Ed89 06/28/2013 at 9:29 AM #

    Problem with CJ as much (or more) than attitude, is the fact that he can’t shoot. Plain and simple. No matter his size (6’8″ and thin), if he could shoot, he’d play the 3. He has no jump shot, and his “set” shot is not very good. Players can back off him, and let him shoot. He won’t be able to blow by the NBA guys like he’s done in H.S. and college. I really wished he would have worked on his shot in his 3 years at State. If CJ could shoot like Bullock, he’d have been a top 10 pick.

  7. JeremyH 06/28/2013 at 9:46 AM #

    After 1st round no guaranteed contracts, so undrafted is similar to 2nd round with some additional flexibility.

  8. Pack Mentality 06/28/2013 at 9:48 AM #

    The NBA definitely made a smart decision in not drafting a player that hurt his team a large percentage of the time he was on the floor. Leslie may be second guessing his decision, but I am very thankful for it.

    I wish Howell had been drafted, but he has the work ethic that may allow him to make a roster anyway.

  9. JeremyH 06/28/2013 at 9:49 AM #

    Tau recruiting has risen back to Sendek levels, a sprinkle of 4 stars with occasional 5 star.

  10. coach13 06/28/2013 at 9:50 AM #

    My prediction Howell finds a spot and is a worker off the bench. Wood plays overseas. Leslie and Brown never stick except MAYBE overseas.

  11. Pack Mentality 06/28/2013 at 9:53 AM #

    “This ought to serve as a lesson to players who think that they’re great and only need to make a half-hearted effort while playing in college. Attitude is important. Physical skills alone are not enough to make it in the pros.”

    Very well stated.

  12. wolffpride 06/28/2013 at 10:07 AM #

    Recruiting has risen to top level, it is not rocket science to understand this. If you want to diss our NBA presence then it is justified, highly justified. It would be foolish diss Gottfried and what he is bringing in. Two classes, 4 McDonalds All Americans. At least 1 MAA in each class. A top talent in transfer Trevor Lacey for 2014 with 2 solid 40-60 ranked wings and we have a list of bigs that are top level. We have a realistic chance at landing a MAA big for 2014. If Gott brings in an MAA in each of his first 3 classes then how can that be considered anything but top level?

    Besides, my guess is TJ Warren goes 1st round next year. Which is back to back years with a drafted player from our program, you can sell that.

  13. wolffpride 06/28/2013 at 10:20 AM #

    Jeremy H,

    “A sprinkle of 4 stars with an occasional 5 star.”

    Hmmm…what Gott has brought:

    3 – 5 stars = Barber, Purvis, Warren
    3 – 4 stars = Lewis, Anya, Washington
    1 – 3 star = Freeman

    4 star transfer Raulston Turner. 5 star Transfer Trevor Lacey. We will call it a 3 star transfer for Alex Johnson and Dez Lee. Though Lee could be 4 star level, time will tell.

    What Gott is bringing in:

    2 – 4 stars = Martin twins

    I count four 5 stars and six 4 star players…and a sprinkle of 3 star.

    Don’t let last night fill your hater-ade cup.

  14. JeremyH 06/28/2013 at 11:08 AM #

    ” a list of bigs that are top level”

    a list? We have Anya. He’s a four star. Fells was a four star.

    “If Gott brings in an MAA in each of his first 3 classes then how can that be considered anything but top level?”

    If I’m the president, then I’m the president. Good talk.

  15. Wulfpack 06/28/2013 at 11:11 AM #

    It has no impact on recruiting. He has a lot to prove, but will he get the chance? Howell will make a roster and will help a team. Brown is in a tough spot. Rubio is amazing and then they took the best PG in the draft in Burke. He won’t see playing time any time soon.

  16. Wulfpack 06/28/2013 at 11:30 AM #

    On the BuzzCats, I don’t think Zeller provides the resistance that Noel does. A much better offensive player, however. And of course folks have questions about how Noel recovers from that bad injury. I still think Noel will have the better career. Some thought McLemore should be the guy, but I don’t see how he helps them with Kemba and MKG. They definitely need a post presence as Biyombo is a bust, and Mullens stinks, too. The East is serious business now with Indy, Chicago, and the Nets.

  17. 13OT 06/28/2013 at 12:19 PM #

    The Sidney Lowe era is officially over.

    Thank God.

  18. packattack13 06/28/2013 at 12:25 PM #

    Richard Howell has signed with the nuggets so he will get a shot. Trey Burke was traded to the jazz so Lorenzo should get enough playing tie to prove if he’s worth keeping around.

  19. wolffpride 06/28/2013 at 12:36 PM #

    “If I’m the president, then I’m the president.”

    Please tell me you’re a lawyer, that is a fine argument good sir (LMFAO).

    Our list of top level bigs was in reference to who we are targeting in the 2014 class ( Grant, Black, etc.) that have high interest in us. We could complete a third class with an MAA. I guess that would qualify as “sendek level.”

    You got called, deal with it.

    Don’t sleep on Anya and especially Washington.

  20. BJD95 06/28/2013 at 12:50 PM #

    When I saw Noel play pre-injury…I didn’t see what the big deal was. Same with McLemore (except that he’s at least healthy). No idea how Zeller can manage lowpost defense. And when we were looking ahead to possibly playing them – I was worried more about Oladipo than Zeller. Temple agreed, and only a horrid cold spell (and Oladipo shaking the defense twice late) prevented the upset.

  21. JeremyH 06/28/2013 at 1:08 PM #

    “Rubio is amazing and then they took the best PG in the draft in Burke. He won’t see playing time any time soon.”

    Do you think, at least, practicing against those guys will serve him well? Work on that jumper and work that teardrop, Lo.

  22. Texpack 06/28/2013 at 1:12 PM #

    ED89 understands. CJ is a tweener. He doesn’t have the body to play PF or the shot to play SF. Lorenzo Brown will play a long time in the NBA.

  23. Tau837 06/28/2013 at 1:36 PM #

    @Wulfpack: Minnesota traded Burke, so he’s not a factor for Brown.

  24. JeremyH 06/28/2013 at 1:39 PM #

    Gugliotta should make a comeback and team up with Brown.

  25. Wulfpack 06/28/2013 at 1:59 PM #

    Good to know, did not know that about Burke. Way too many trades to follow! I agree Brown will have a great NBA career. He definitely has the skills and body to compete at the highest level. Leslie is indeed a tweener and does nothing especially well.

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