NC State Basketball Great Auditioning for NBA Team Alongside Tar Heel
At least three veterans among the top unsigned NBA free agents are slated to work out for the Sacramento Kings this week, The Athletic's Sam Amick reported on Monday. That trio of roster hopefuls includes the NC State basketball program's most recent ACC Player of the Year in 2012-14 Wolfpack forward TJ Warren.
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The 31-year-old Warren has found a home in the league every year since hearing his name No. 14 overall at the 2014 NBA Draft.
Per sources, the Kings are working out TJ Warren this week. The 31-year-old who averaged a career-high 19.8 points for the Pacers in 2019-20 last played with Minnesota last season (11 games).
— Sam Amick (@sam_amick) September 16, 2024
The Kings have Jae Crowder and Nassir Little in this week as well. (@SeanCunningham…
However, it took until March for the 6-foot-8, 220-pound forward to secure a contract of any variety last go-round. He landed a pair of 10-day deals with the Minnesota Timberwolves before signing there for the rest of the season, averaging 3.7 points and 2.0 rebounds across his 11 regular season appearances but seeing the floor in only three playoff games.
As Amick noted, Warren peaked at 19.8 points per outing for the 2019-20 Indiana Pacers.
Amick listed 2018-19 UNC basketball one-and-done Nassir Little, who is also a 6-foot-6, 220-pound forward, and 34-year-old Jae Crowder, a 6-foot-6, 235-pounder, as the other two set to audition for a potential deal in Sacramento.
It appears the Kings are looking for a particular brand of experienced bruiser to become their 15th roster piece.
For now, the only NC State basketball talents on contract for the 2024-25 NBA season are a twin set of former outbound Wolfpack transfers in Charlotte Hornets forward Cody Martin and Philadelphia 76ers forward Caleb Martin.
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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.