NC State Basketball Newcomer Excels 'Playing to His Strengths'
Through NC State basketball's 5-0 start, former UNC and Georgetown wing Dontrez Styles has already proven to be a welcome addition in Raleigh.
ALSO READ: NC State Coach Has 'No Idea' What Wolfpack Will Learn in San Diego
The 6-foot-6, 212-pound senior, a double-digit scorer with the Hoyas last season, is now averaging 9.4 points, 1.6 blocks, and a team-high 5.8 rebounds while committing only 1.0 turnovers per game. Styles is posting those numbers as a full-time starter, leading all Wolfpack newcomers at 25.2 minutes per game.
Plus, he's shooting a career-high 52.9 percent from the field, including 38.5 percent beyond the arc on 2.6 attempts per outing.
All in all, the 22-year-old from Kinston, N.C., who arrived in Chapel Hill in 2021 as a top-tier four-star prospect, is a reliable weapon in the NC State basketball arsenal.
The dagger from Trez 👌 pic.twitter.com/fUm4XB89Yd
— NC State Men's Basketball (@PackMensBball) November 24, 2024
"I just think he's doing a good job of playing to his strengths," eighth-year Wolfpack head coach Kevin Keatts pointed out about Dontrez Styles on Wednesday during his Zoom call with the media ahead of NC State's Rady Children's Invitational showdown against No. 13-ranked Purdue in San Diego's LionTree Arena at 3 p.m. ET Thursday (FS1). "The one thing I like about Dontrez is he doesn't force the issue. You know, if it's a midrange shot, he'll take it...
"I'm comfortable with where he's at...He's very efficient at what he's doing."
Thanksgiving Gameday 🦃
— NC State Men's Basketball (@PackMensBball) November 28, 2024
🏀: NC State vs Purdue
🕖: 3:00 PM ET
📍: San Diego, CA
📺: FS1 #GoPack pic.twitter.com/E52RAlAf9T
ALSO READ: One Huge Difference in Wolfpack Rematch Versus Purdue
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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.