About two weeks in the past, among the best ladies’s basketball gamers from the SEC grew to become a free agent when Khamil Pierre left Vanderbilt.
Pierre and Vandy parted methods at a time when the switch portal was closed. However whereas the state of affairs was a singular one which put Pierre’s rapid basketball-playing future in limbo, she was capable of finding a brand new staff rapidly in the midst of the summer season.
Sources aware of the state of affairs confirmed to SB Nation that Pierre — a 6-foot-2 ahead with two years of eligibility left — has joined North Carolina State.
The information was first reported by On3. Sources mentioned that Pierre was admitted to N.C. State and enrolled final week. She spoke with the Wolfpack teaching workers on Monday.
In response to a number of sources aware of Pierre’s switch journey, she centered on faculties within the Huge Ten and ACC after departing Vanderbilt.
N.C. State recruited Pierre as a excessive schooler, so the Wolfpack’s teaching workers had a preexisting relationship along with her and people near her. Sources mentioned that N.C. State coach Wes Moore had a dialog with Vanderbilt coach Shea Ralph about Pierre in current days and the Wolfpack had been “diligent” with their compliance division.
Pierre then needed to apply to N.C. State and be accepted earlier than speaking to Wolfpack coaches about becoming a member of the staff. Sources mentioned that Pierre additionally critically thought of Michigan State, amongst different packages.
“Coach Wes has constructed a terrific tradition at NC State,” Pierre instructed On3. “It’s grow to be one of many powerhouses within the ACC, and I’m excited to be a part of such a powerful program and training workers.”
Pierre’s path to discovering a brand new program may grow to be extra widespread for athletes who depart their former groups exterior of the portal window. In accordance to ESPN’s Pete Thamel, it’s what BYU quarterback Jake Retzlaff will try and do after leaving Provo.
N.C. State has but to publicly announce the addition of Pierre and can seemingly maintain off on doing so till after she indicators her monetary settlement. The Wolfpack, in keeping with sources, are assured she’ll be capable of play for them this season. She’ll be the second native of Arizona on the roster, becoming a member of incoming freshman Ky’She Lunan.
Touchdown Pierre is a large win for N.C. State, which had beforehand swung and missed on a number of switch portal targets within the spring. The group that the Wolfpack courted contains Kara Dunn (Georgia Tech to USC), Allie Kubek (Maryland to Florida State), Fatmata Janneh (Saint Peter’s to Texas A&M), Ndjakalenga Mwenentanda (Texas to Vanderbilt) and Kylee Kitts (Florida to Ohio State). A supply indicated that N.C. State “didn’t need to overpay” for gamers like Janneh and Mwenentanda, each of whom landed within the SEC.
However the Wolfpack had an enormous query mark on the energy ahead spot following the commencement of Madison Hayes and after lacking on these portal targets. Pierre doesn’t simply fill that void — she makes the Wolfpack contenders once more within the ACC.
Contemplate that she was the one participant within the nation final season to common at the very least 20 factors, 9 rebounds, two assists and two steals per sport. Pierre ranked sixth nationally in subject objectives made per sport (8.5), 14th in steals per sport (2.9) and twelfth in PER (35.8). Pierre averaged 20.4 factors, 9.6 rebounds and a pair of.1 assists per sport whereas taking pictures 49.8 % from the ground.
The WBCA tabbed her as an honorable point out All-American and she or he was a finalist for the Cheryl Miller Award. Pierre was additionally invited to Group USA trials this summer season for the FIBA AmeriCup squad.
Pierre is an athletic and versatile ahead who has a terrific mid-range sport and a pure knack for placing the ball within the basket. She’ll kind a formidable front-duo with Tilda Trygger, a 6-foot-6 sophomore, and shall be one of many many passing choices for junior level guard Zoe Brooks.
N.C. State is coming off a season wherein they — led by a pair of first-round WNBA Draft picks in Aziaha James and Saniya Rivers — had been common season champs of the ACC and superior to the Candy 16. With Pierre now within the fold, they’ve a greater of likelihood of getting again there.
