National signing day was especially tough on the NC State men’s basketball team, as the Wolfpack did not gain any players, but instead lost two key contributors.
The team announced Wednesday that redshirt junior guard Trevor Lacey would forgo his final season of eligibility and enter the 2015 NBA Draft. Just a few hours later, sophomore forward Kyle Washington announced he would be transferring from the program.
Lacey, a transfer from Alabama, was playing in his first season with the Wolfpack after redshirting the 2014 season due to NCAA rules. The junior led State with 15.7 points per game and was second in assists, averaging 3.5 per game.
Not only was Lacey the Pack’s top option on offense, he was also the team’s leader on the floor. Lacey’s basketball IQ was second to none, and head coach Mark Gottfried often referred to the guard as a “coach on the floor.”
“I would like to thank the coaching staff, university and fans for a wonderful experience the last two years at NC State, but I’d like to declare for the NBA Draft,” Lacey said. “I had a great group of teammates the last two years and they’ll always be like brothers to me. This has been the toughest decision of my life, but I feel like pursuing this new journey in my basketball career is what is best for me.”
Lacey declaring for the draft may come as a surprise to State fans. However, the junior’s decision could be justified in many ways.
Though his fame around the college scene has never been higher, Lacey is not getting any younger. At 23, the guard was already what most would consider too old for the draft.
The Pack’s run through the Sweet 16 earned Lacey much-needed exposure. In his final two contests, he netted 17.5 points and snagged 5.5 boards per game, proving that the guard could deliver on the biggest stage.
While Lacey chose to leave the Pack due to exposure, Washington’s decision stemmed from a recent lack of playing time.
Gottfried has said repeatedly that he does not like playing a large rotation of players, and with Abdul-Malik Abu and Lennard Freeman having locked down the starting post positions in the latter part of the season, Washington’s playing time was slashed significantly.
On a State offense that relied heavily on guards for scoring, Washington’s offensive prowess was often under-utilized. The forward will likely have a significant role in the offense of whichever program he selects.
The duo’s departure has a silver lining, as it opens the door for the Pack to potentially landing a top recruit, or possibly multiple top recruits. Jaylen Brown, Malik Newman and North Carolina-native Brandon Ingram are all 5-star recruits and are the second, fourth and 12th best recruits according to ESPN. Newman is listed as a shooting guard while Brown and Ingram are both listed as small forwards. The Pack’s best chance at landing anyone of these players lies in Ingram.
With Lacey gone, the Pack has suddenly gotten thin at the guard position. Sophomore Anthony ‘Cat’ Barber and redshirt sophomore Terry Henderson will be the only viable options in the backcourt for the Pack next season.
Enter Newman. The shooting guard out of Jackson, Mississippi averaged 29.8 points per game his senior year and was recently named MVP at the FIBA U-17 World Championships.
A player like Newman brings youth and athleticism to an already talented NC State backcourt.
However, Ingram seems like the more viable option now following Washington’s departure. Along with the Pack, the Kinston, North Carolina native is considering UCLA, Kansas, Kentucky and in-state rivals Duke and UNC. The 6-foot-8 Ingram had 15 points off 6-for-11 shooting as a starter in the 2015 McDonald’s All-American game.
With veterans like Lacey and Washington leaving, it opens up playing time for younger guys, making Raleigh all the more appealing to players such as Ingram and Newman.
Though the departure of two role players may leave many State fans sour, there is no denying that the Pack’s Cinderella run in this year’s NCAA Tournament would not have been possible without Lacey and Washington.
Sophomore forward Kyle Washington drives to the basket during the men's basketball game at Wake Forest Feb. 3. The Demon Deacons dominated the Wolfpack in the first half, leading 51-30 at halftime. The Wolfpack mounted an unsuccessful comeback attempt, finishing the game with an 88-84 loss. The loss brings the Wolfpack to 14-10 overall and 5-6 in the ACC.
