NC State Wolfpack Recruiting Class Should Not Be Overlooked

The North Carolina State Wolfpack got a lot of attention during last season when T.J. Warren put up high-scoring numbers game after game and made the team a pleasant surprise late in the year.

Well, Warren is gone, but no one should think that coach Mark Gottfried‘s team should be forgotten. Gottfried and his assistants have done a wonderful job recruiting this year’s high school class and many scouts believe the Wolfpack have at least a top 20 group.

The powerful and athletic Abdul-Malik Abu should give NC State a lot to work with in the post. Abu is a strong and active player who can make the highlight reels with thunderous dunks. Joining him in the front court will be Caleb Martin and Cody Martin. Both of these players offer size at 6-7 and should give Gottfried plenty to work with. Cody Martin is considered a highly intelligent basketball player who can slash to the hoop and rebound. Caleb Martin will run defenders all around the court and is considered a very confident player who will force the issue in a positive way. The Martins are brothers and having played together their entire lives can only help the Wolfpack. This trio gives the team a group that can score from different spots on the court.

State may not have the excitement of Warren next year, but with the addition of these three freshmen and the mind of Gottfried coaching them up, the Wolfpack could be a dark-horse ACC contender and match-up no one wants when the NCAA tournament comes rolling around.

Gregory T. Philson is an ACC basketball writer at www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @GTPhilson, “Like” him on Facebook, and add him to your network on Google. Read more here.