Since its inception, the NCAA transfer portal has developed into one of the most polarizing features of college athletics. It has proven capable of either making or breaking a team’s season. In the case of the 2023-24 NC State Wolfpack, it proved to work wonders in crunch time to give the program a memorable season for the ages.
In his seventh season at the helm, head coach Kevin Keatts utilized the portal in a way that many other coaches should use as an example. In a career-defining season, he proved why he belongs in Raleigh. Entering the season, he brought in a staggering seven transfers to fill spots left from a tournament team in 2023.
With the fanbase desiring a return to the Big Dance, the pressure was on to see if this group could get it done. In the season prior, the Wolfpack had reveled in the high-level play from guards Terquavion Smith and Jarkel Joiner, who consistently provided the Pack with an electric presence from deep. It also enjoyed key contributions from names such as guard Jack Clark and forwards Dusan Mahorcic and Ebenezer Dowuona.
Entering the 2023-24 season, NC State needed to find a new identity as these individuals among others either transferred from the portal or went on to pursue a professional career. With key returners such as graduate forward DJ Burns Jr. and graduate guard Casey Morsell, the groundwork was already in place for the Pack to build.
Perhaps the most significant transfer of the 23-24 season came with the addition of graduate guard DJ Horne. A Raleigh native, Horne returned home after previous stints at Illinois State and Arizona State. An experienced shooter, Horne came to NC State to bring a taste of wisdom to a young group of guards.
Horne proved he could compete despite changes in the level of competition, averaging at least 12 points per game and 35% 3-point field goal percentage in each of his three prior seasons. Looking to make a key impact in his last collegiate season, Horne did more than enough to cement his legacy in the red-and-white.
Averaging a career-high 32.5 minutes per contest, Horne proved to be a constant threat for opposing teams as he proved his ability to score from various spots across the hardwood. He put forth a 43.6% field goal percentage along with a 40.4% mark from 3. He could make it rain inside the paint just as well as he could from behind the arc.
Garnering Third-Team All-ACC honors, Horne tied for third-most 3s in the ACC with 105 and scored a total of 677 points, which was second-best in the ACC.
Another key addition came with graduate guard Michael O’Connell. The 6-foot-2 guard from Stanford was one of the many members of the Wolfpack who proved himself throughout the season. Despite not putting forth flashy shooting numbers, O’Connell managed to be a constant presence on the floor whether he was scoring or distributing the ball.
In the most defining moment of the season, O’Connell found himself in the thick of it. In the semifinals of the ACC Tournament, it was do or die for NC State as its NCAA tournament chances were hanging by a thread.
Facing off against Virginia, the Pack was down by three with under 10 seconds to play. After a missed Cavalier free throw, the Pack had one last chance. Driving down the court, O’Connell decided to place the fate of the season in his hands as he pulled up for 3.
With the buzzer sounding, O’Connell cashed in the shot to tie the game. With the Pack eventually winning the game and embarking on a memorable tournament run over the next few weeks, it is safe to say that none of it would have been possible without O’Connell.
Perhaps the most underrated transfer to enter Raleigh this season came with the addition of junior forward Mohamed Diarra. Standing at 6-foot-10, he came with a year of experience from Missouri. Rounding out the normal starting lineup for the Pack, Diarra gave the Pack a reliable presence for grabbing rebounds and defense. Leading the team in rebounds with 311, he helped provide numerous second-chance opportunities.
In the postseason, Diarra kicked it up a notch. After making headlines for his adherence to fasting for Ramadan, he continued to put forth a masterful performance even while not being able to eat or drink. Throughout both tournaments, Diarra averaged a double-double with 10 points per game to go along with 12.4 rebounds. He also put together 18 blocks in this time frame.
Keatts brought in two additional transfers who also played a role in this season’s success. Both junior guard Jayden Taylor and junior forward Ben Middlebrooks proved to be huge role players. Despite having his ups and downs, Taylor finished with a 41.3% field goal percentage. He came up huge in some clutch moments for NC State. One such time came late in the Pack’s second-round game against Oakland. Draining a 3 in the waning overtime period, Taylor helped the Pack advance.
Middlebrooks, who transferred from ACC rival Clemson, also served as a key role player as his frame caused opponents a variety of issues. In his first season with the Pack, he shined as a key role player. Giving the team extra height in the paint, he mostly showed his skill through grabbing rebounds and playing defense within the paint. However, he put together his best scoring game of the season in the first round of the NCAA Tournament as he put forth 21 points in a win over Texas Tech.
