NC State women’s basketball had a phenomenal year. That can’t be stressed enough.
From start to finish, the Wolfpack was dominating in both non-conference and ACC games, proving to the basketball community it cannot be overlooked. From a 20-12 record and a first-round NCAA exit in 2022-23 to a 31-7 season in 2023-24, it’s clear that something went right for the red-and-white over the past year.
The Pack breezed through the first four rounds of this year’s NCAA Tournament. With dominant wins over historically renowned teams like Tennessee, Stanford and Texas, NC State showed it belonged on the big stage and shouldn’t be swept under the rug.
NC State had only made it to the Final Four once before this year’s squad and it was 26 years ago, so this year’s appearance meant more to the team and Wolfpack nation. After a close first half against the eventual national champions South Carolina, the Pack quickly fell apart and lost in the Final Four 78-59.
“We’ve got a great team and yeah, we’ve got an unbelievable season,” said head coach Wes Moore after the loss. “I’m proud of these young ladies, the run we’ve been on. Just stinks to end it this way. I’m sure after we’ve had a little bit of time away from it and can reflect, we will have a lot to be proud of.”
Two major players who greatly contributed to this season’s success were graduate center River Baldwin and graduate forward Mimi Collins. Combining for 91 points throughout the tournament, both veteran players made a large impact on leading the younger team. With young stars in junior guards Aziaha James and Saniya Rivers, Baldwin and Collins brought a calming and confident presence on the court.
“I’m just so proud of her,” Moore said of Baldwin. “She really had always been a role player.”
Baldwin and Collins did not start their collegiate careers at NC State, but their impact in Raleigh will not be forgotten. As some of the best bigs on the court in recent NC State women’s basketball rosters, they will be hard to replace. It won’t be impossible, though.
Moore has two budding freshmen who are contenders to take over for Baldwin. Freshman center Mallory Collier and freshman forward Maddie Cox have played in early season games for the Pack and had great showings. Both came into NC State as ESPN’s No. 55 and No. 71 players in the 2023 class, respectively, and they have room to grow into those rankings with the Wolfpack. Cox can also be used to fill the hole on the court that will be there when Collins leaves.
While the transfer portal shuffle has started with other ACC teams, it is unclear if any members of the Pack will be leaving the team before the start of next season. With such a deep run in the tournament and a great ACC presence, many of the players this year have alluded to staying in Raleigh.
“This loss is gonna hurt right now, but we have to still stick together and be a family and still love each other,” James said. “You know, as a senior next year, I’m going to still emphasize that the same way, we’re going to be a system. We’re going to have that strong chemistry on and off the court. So it’s going to be stronger, it’s going to be even stronger.”
There are some good incentives to staying with the Wolfpack: this next year’s freshman class is one of the best in NC State basketball history. With the school’s second-straight top 10 signing class, there are some good players pulling up to campus in the fall that will add some depth to the Pack’s roster.
ESPN’s class of 2024 ranking has Zamareya Jones at No. 17, and she fits the bill perfectly. The guard hails from Bethel, North Carolina, and ended her high school career with over 1,700 points, the 2023 North Carolina Basketball Coaches Association Player of the Year award and a state championship under her belt.
Coming in at No. 47, wing Devyn Quigley averaged 34.8 points and 11.3 rebounds as a junior in high school. The multi-time All-State honoree will be a great shooting backup to James as the freshman eases into her role on the court.
While next year’s schedule hasn’t been released yet, it can be rest assured that there will be some fierce competition waiting for the Wolfpack. Even before playing an ACC game, the Pack will have to take on the Gamecocks again in early November for the 2024 Ally Tipoff in Charlotte, North Carolina.
After a quick nonconference schedule, NC State will have to play in the most dominant conference in women’s basketball. With such a stacked roster heading into the offseason, hope is not lost on the ladies of the court. The red-and-white will make it back to the Final Four soon.
