Freshman forward B.J. Anya is among the new faces on this year’s men’s basketball squad. The 6-foot-9-inch Gaithersburg, Md., native and DeMatha Catholic High School graduate, is preparing on-and-off the court to help the Pack succeed in his first year with the program.

Anya scored tallied three points and three rebounds in 14 minutes during the team’s scrimmage at Primetime with the Pack last Saturday, starting for the red team.

Technician: What do you think about N.C. State from an off-the-court perspective?

Anya: “It’s a great school; it’s in a great city and people here are very nice, and down to earth. I’ve made a lot of friends already, people who are not athletes. This is a good place to call home.”

Q: What are some activities you like to do around campus when you’re not on the court?

A: “Just hang out with friends and have fun. If you know me, I’m a fun-loving guy. I like going out with my boys and doing what college kids do.”

Q: What do you think you and the rest of the freshman can contribute to the team this season?

A: “I think we can contribute a lot because there is a lot of opportunity for us to play. We have to come in to practice and go hard, and go hard during games so we can contribute to our team.”

Q: You’ve said you think you can come in and start right away. What do you bring to the team that will allow you to find time on the court?

A: “I have a low-post presence. I can score on the block, alter and block shots and I can rebound the ball. It’s those three things my team needs and they need to have faith in me that I can come into the game and do it.”

Q: How do you feel about playing a few games in Reynolds Coliseum this season?

A: “Reynolds is a historical coliseum because it has so much history and tradition. It’s not as big as PNC [Arena], but the atmosphere in there is going to be crazy because it’s a small gym and it’s going to be packed.”

Q: Is there a game you have circled on your calendar this season?

A: “No, we’re going to take one game a step at a time. The only game I’m worried about right now is UNC-Pembroke. That’s the first game and then we’ll move on from there.”