Inside Look at NC State Basketball Surprise for Returning Gems
During Kevin Keatts' press conference to tip off Thursday's NC State basketball media day, the eighth-year Wolfpack head coach alluded to a special dinner for his squad.
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In hindsight, the smiles from Keatts and overall upbeat tone of media day, due to the program being fresh off its first Final Four appearance and ACC Tournament title since the 1980s, served as a clue to what was in store for the group at that dinner.
It turns out the 2023-24 Wolfpack players got their rings.
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On Friday morning, with a caption of "Champions has a nice ring to it," the NC State basketball social media team posted the following video from the surprise ring ceremony, including the players' show of pure appreciation:
Champions has a nice ring to it 💍 pic.twitter.com/eiYK26KoIm
— NC State Men's Basketball (@PackMensBball) September 20, 2024
Here's a zoomed-in look at the rings, highlighting their recognition of the ACC Tournament crown and unforgettable Cinderella journey to the Final Four in Phoenix:
Commemorating the excellent 2024 season 💍 pic.twitter.com/x8QrsCE54w
— NC State Men's Basketball (@PackMensBball) September 20, 2024
The championship jewelry went out to the seven returning talents on hand, featuring graduate guard and ACC Tournament semifinal hero Michael O'Connell, senior guard Jayden Taylor, senior guard Breon Pass, senior forward Ben Middlebrooks, and sophomore guard Dennis Parker Jr., plus a pair of junior walk-on guards in Jordan Snell and the coach's son, KJ Keatts.
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Matt Giles is the editor and publisher of NC State Wolfpack on SI, Duke Blue Devils on SI, and North Carolina Tar Heels on SI, making him a key source for comprehensive coverage of these storied college basketball programs. Since joining NC State Wolfpack on SI in 2024, Matt has been dedicated to providing in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive content on all three teams. He covers everything from game previews and recaps to player profiles and recruiting updates. Matt's expert knowledge of these teams has made his work a go-to resource for fans and followers of Duke, NC State, and UNC. As publisher, he shapes the editorial direction, ensuring that the most relevant and timely information reaches his audience.