Glenn Wagstaff
Andre Corbett, a fourth year student studying communication.
The end of one era and the start of another.
Those are the only words that seem to come to mind in the wake of news that Omer Yurtseven will be leaving the school in pursuit of the NBA draft or a transfer to a different school.
If he is going to the NBA, then I cannot fault him as I have previously made the argument that players should take advantage of opportunities to advance their careers and financial situations. However, if he is going to continue to play at the college level, then he should also seriously consider staying right here where he and his teammates can lead NC State to another NCAA Tournament.
I do understand his aspiration to play professionally. Who would not want to cement their name amongst the greats of professional sports? Who would turn down the chance to play against, or with, LeBron James, Stephen Curry, James Harden or the countless other box-office names in the world of sports?
If he chose not to remain in the NCAA of course.
The 7-foot, 245-pound sophomore center has proven to be an invaluable asset to this Wolfpack basketball team and was one of the faces to help lead NC State to a 21-12 record under Kevin Keatts this year. It is not as if there would not be any precedent for Yurtseven making the decision to stay and win here with Keatts as he did it just last year.
If anyone has doubts about his capability or his contributions, then look no further than his stat sheet for any evidence that you might require to consider otherwise. Yurtseven’s numbers went up across the board in every category this year except for assists. He averaged 13.5 points, 6.7 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game to show just how much this system works for both himself and Keatts. Not to mention that his points and blocks rose to 14.9 and 2.0 respectively during ACC games.
Yurtseven even made the All-ACC Third Team this year.
Hell, if that were not enough, Keatts reportedly even told this man that he could turn him into a “superstar” and that is definitely the direction where he is going. However, Yurtseven could continue to do that and more right here in Raleigh under the bright lights of PNC Arena. He could do it right in front of a screaming Wolfpack crowd cheering him and his teammates onward to victory.
We also already have veteran players such as Al Freeman and Abdul-Malik Abu on their way out, and Shaun Kirk has already left for UNC-Pembroke. This is a team that could benefit from yet another seasoned player’s experience in the locker room and Keatts’ system is one which he has thrived in. If not headed to the draft, could Yurtseven really say without a doubt that he could win just as much elsewhere than he could with an already established team like the one he already has?
Just imagine how much better an already great player could be if he stuck around another year or two under a coach that complements his type of play.
Keatts knows his players and how they move on the floor so now would be the time to continue to capitalize on that chemistry; one we have seen work time and time again this past season. Yurtseven could continue to prosper and develop within a system that emphasizes a fast-paced style of play along with a lockdown defense that pushes turnovers from the opposing side. This presents a real opportunity to showcase even more growth as a player when you are “auditioning” for the NBA during the regular season, tournaments and professional team workouts.
Just look to greats like Draymond Green and Stephen Curry who played multiple years in college and rose up to become NBA champions with the Golden State Warriors. Twice. Even other great talents such as four-time NBA All-Star Jimmy Butler of the Minnesota Timberwolves and JJ Redick of the Philadelphia 76ers played for several years in college. They made their schools better and still were able to rise above within the ranks of the Big Stage.
That is not to say that Omer Yurtseven could not accomplish all of these feats if he were to join the NBA next fall. I am just saying that if he were to stay within the confines of college basketball, then his best shot would be right here running with the Pack where he knows that a winning season is a very real possibility. However, we still do not know what his plans are for the future and he very well may not know either. Whatever he decides, he will always have the support of the Wolfpack.
At least until we meet again on the court that is.