N.C. State basketball coach Kevin Keatts held a summer press conference recently at the Dail Basketball Center, which will feature some new art as a reminder of the Wolfpack’s recent ACC Tournament championship and Final Four run.
During a 30-minute question-and-answer session with media members, Keatts discussed N.C. State's success last season, its roster turnover and what to expect from the Wolfpack's 2024-25 roster.
Here are several takeaways from Keatts’ first press conference since the Wolfpack’s season ended in April at the Final Four in Arizona.
Kevin Keatts highlights NC State basketball transfers, including Dontrez Styles
The Wolfpack have four incoming transfers and two in-state freshmen set to compete in the 2024-25 season.
“I think everybody understands now, there’s gonna be a lot of turnover in college basketball,” Keatts said. “I kind of went into this year knowing that we would have more and more transfers.”
Brandon Huntley-Hatfield and Mike James came from Louisville, Marcus Hill arrived from Bowling Green and Dontrez Styles started his career at UNC before going to Georgetown. Each of those four players are expected to be immediate contributors.
Keatts said Huntley-Hatfield, who nearly averaged a double-double in the ACC last season, will likely be a part of a starting frontcourt alongside returner Ben Middlebrooks.
“Talented. … Brandon’s got a chance to be really good,” Keatts said. “He can step out and shoot it. (But) there’s no replacement for DJ Burns … nobody in the country plays that way.”
James, a versatile 6-foot-5 guard who can match up with bigger wings, is expected to help fill the void left by lead guard DJ Horne.
“Strong driver that can shoot the basketball,” Keatts said of James. “I’m looking for someone to replace DJ Horne. I don’t know if we’ll have anyone replace the way he played, but I think (James) will be really good.”
Styles, who was recruited by the Wolfpack as a high school player in Kinston before playing for the Tar Heels and Hoyas, brings “versatility” to the roster as a wing capable of crashing the boards and stepping out to knock down shots from 3-point range.
Keatts expects Styles to “really help” the Wolfpack as a “hybrid” forward.
Marcus Hill is the lone mid-major player to join the Wolfpack, but he’s also the top scorer among N.C. State’s additions from the portal.
“A lot of people think because he’s a mid-major guy that he may not have the same impact,” Keatts said. “But he’s really good.”
Keatts gives nod to freshmen Trey Parker, Paul McNeil
N.C. State has added major pieces from the transfer portal in recent seasons, but Keatts has a pair of freshmen who could add intrigue this season as in-state products.
“I don’t think the overall process has changed for us,” Keatts said. “I think everybody is paying attention more to what we’re doing. … From a recruiting standpoint, we’re still recruiting the same guys that we typically recruit.”
Keatts heaped praise on Fayetteville native Trey Parker and Rockingham native Paul McNeil, saying Parker is more than a “dunker” and McNeil is “probably the best shooter” on the team.
“Both of those guys are doing well,” Keatts said. “But understand that they’re freshmen, so understand everything’s coming at them really fast. They’re trying to adjust to everything.”
Michael O’Connell’s leadership important for 2024-25 NC State basketball
When asked about the leaders for N.C. State’s current squad, Keatts immediately pointed to returning guard Michael O’Connell.
O’Connell, who kept the Wolfpack’s season alive with a buzzer-beating 3-pointer at the 2024 ACC Tournament, was “so quiet” until the postseason. That’s when, Keatts said, O’Connell’s voice started emerging in the locker room.
O’Connell is one of five returners for the Wolfpack, joining Middlebrooks, Jayden Taylor, Breon Pass and Dennis Parker.
“Our returners have swag now. … They have swag,” Keatts said. “We’ve put them against the new guys a few times (in practice). The difference in the new guys, they’re so talented, but here’s the thing: they’ve never played together. Those (returners) have swag.”
Staff writer Rodd Baxley can be reached atrbaxley@fayobserver.com or @RoddBaxley on X/Twitter.
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