Cheyenne Joyner
Lennard Freeman, Maverick Rowen, and twins Caleb and Cody Martin regroup after a free throw attempt. NC State Played a close game against Wake Forest this Saturday, Feb. 13, at PNC Arena.
Junior Cat Barber and sophomore Abdul-Malik Abu of the NC State men’s basketball team will declare for the 2016 NBA Draft, according to NBC Sports and ESPN’s Jeff Goodman, respectively.
Likewise, sophomores Cody and Caleb Martin have decided to transfer from the program, NC State Athletics announced on Thursday.
“Caleb and Cody have informed me of their desire to explore options that they believe are in both of their best interests,” NC State head coach Mark Gottfried said in a statement released by NC State Athletics. “While I don’t share all of their views, I have certainly come to understand and respect the unique dynamic and special bond that exists between identical twins. I enjoyed coaching them over the past two years.”
NC State has confirmed Abu will enter the draft, although he has not hired an agent, which means he may still return to the NC State basketball program.
In January, the NCAA altered its rules about the deadline for men’s basketball student athletes to declare for the draft. This change allows players to declare for the draft and “test the waters” by attending the NBA Draft Combine and private workouts without forgoing their amateur status. Now, players can hear feedback about their draft stock from NBA scouts before making a final decision about their future.
Players have to make a decision within 10 days after the Draft Combine, making this year’s deadline May 25.
As of now, the Pack will return with freshmen Maverick Rowan and Shaun Kirk, and juniors BeeJay Anya and Lennard Freeman for the start of next season.
NC State will also welcome highly-touted recruit Dennis Smith Jr., a UNC-Charlotte transfer, and 2014 – 2015 Conference USA Freshman of the Year Torin Dorn and West Virginia transfer Terry Henderson as he returns from injury. Needless to say, NC State will have a different look when it takes the court for its season opener in the fall.
“We wanted to say thank you to [Wolfpack Nation] and all of the great memories that will be with us forever,” Caleb Martin said in a statement released by NC State Athletics. “But we think it is best for us to move on.”