Aislinn Konig has long been a fan-favorite of NC State fans. With a catchy nickname, “Ace,” and a handle nearly as smooth as her record-setting 3-point shot, the senior guard never fails to receive the loudest applause in pregame introductions.
And on Sunday afternoon as it was announced prior to the start of the second quarter that Konig had scored her 1,000th career point in a Wolfpack uniform — by way of a 3-pointer, of course — a nearly sold-out Reynolds Coliseum crowd got on its feet and gave her a deafening standing ovation.
“Part of the reason why I chose to come to NC State was the fans,” Konig said. “The amazing support this program gets from our amazing season-ticket holders and just anybody who decides to come to the game. So to be able to share that moment with them is really big.”
As modest as ever, Konig didn’t ask for the announcement or the spotlight on her, but she was appreciative nonetheless. With a humble smile up at the crowd, she gave a little head nod and got back to business. She’d assist on the first basket of the quarter less than a minute later.
“I was more worried about remembering what play Coach had just told me we were going to run,” Konig said.
With the shot clock winding down near the end of the first quarter, her teammates gave her the ball to go to work, as is often the case. Operating on the right wing, Konig took a one-dribble jab to the left and snatched it back right behind the 3-point arc. As her defender bit on the first move, she pulled back and into her shot in one smooth motion, sinking her shot and etching her place in the history books.
The late-first quarter 3-pointer pushed her over 1,000 career points and made her just the 14th active player in ACC history to score at least 1,000. With nearly 100 games under her belt, including eight NCAA Tournament games and two Sweet 16s, Konig is one of the most experienced and accomplished players in the program the last few decades.
“To be able to share that moment with my team, it’s a very proud moment for me,” Konig said. “I think that a lot of the glory of that goes to the amazing teammates that I’ve had over the years and Coach putting me in the right position. So that’s not just a win for me, that’s a win for the entire team.”
One of head coach Wes Moore’s most trusted players for three years now, Konig rarely leaves the court. Averaging over 34 minutes per game since her freshman year, the 5-foot-10 guard is the Pack’s most vocal leader, always there to hype someone up after a big shot or calm someone down after a frenetic play. Moore coveted Konig throughout her entire recruiting process four years ago, and he knew when he got her that he had something special.
“It was awesome for Ace to reach the 1,000th point barrier,” Moore said. “She was a big-time recruit. I was real excited [for her to commit] … she can score the ball, she can handle the ball. She competes. You give her a challenge, she wants to show you that she can do it. Even though she might not be the quickest, fastest, biggest athlete … I feel real good about our chances with Ace.”
Already in the NC State women’s basketball record books in a number of categories, Konig still has over half the season left to finish climbing up the leaderboards and continue to lead the Wolfpack as she takes one last stab at a potential Final Four appearance.
