NC State Basketball Spotlights Former Five-Star's Post Prowess
NC State basketball senior center Brandon Huntley-Hatfield is exhibiting the confidence in the paint that many projected from him when he finished No. 26 overall with a five-star rating by his name on the 247Sports 2021 Composite. And the 21-year-old from Clarksville, Tenn., is impressing his new head coach in the process.
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"That's a great move," Kevin Keatts proclaims in the following practice clip, courtesy of the NC State basketball social media team on Wednesday afternoon, after watching Huntley-Hatfield back down one defender with authority before he powered through a double-team for an easy lay-in off the glass:
“That’s a great move” 💪 @RealGupaveli pic.twitter.com/Ko66CRQYzX
— NC State Men's Basketball (@PackMensBball) October 2, 2024
The 6-foot-10, 240-pound big man didn't excel out of the gates in college, averaging only 3.9 points and 2.9 rebounds across his 35 outings for Tennessee as a freshman.
But Huntley-Hatfield, who transferred to Louisville for two campaigns before joining the Wolfpack for his senior year, has boosted his production from one season to the next. As a full-time starter for the Cardinals last season, he posted 12.9 points and 8.4 boards per game while shooting 56.7 percent from the field — a notable jump from 45.7 percent at Tennessee and 47.2 percent as a sophomore — not to mention 42.9 percent from three, albeit as a low-volume outside shooter.
Brandon Huntley-Hatfield and the rest of Kevin Keatts' eighth NC State basketball squad tip off their season when USC Upstate arrives in the Lenovo Center for a 7 p.m. ET bout on Nov. 4 (ACC Network Extra).
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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.