NC State lands lefty shooter Sam Hunt
The chance to play in the ACC and compete for playing time at NC State proved too appealing to pass up for North Carolina A&T graduate transfer Sam Hunt.
The former Greensboro (N.C.) Dudley standout is the third recruit to select NC State since new head coach Kevin Keatts took over March 17. Hunt joins fellow graduate transfer guard Al Freeman of Baylor and incoming freshman point guard signee Lavar Batts Jr. in fortifying the backcourt.
Hunt’s ability to play both guard spots at 6-2 and 175 pounds will help provide increased depth. He averaged 12.7 points and 1.8 assists per contest, plus shot 38.3 percent form the field and 35.4 percent from three-point land last year for the Aggies. He had 20 points in his second to last game for North Carolina A&T to help engineer a 68-63 upset against NCAA Tournament-bound North Carolina Central March 2.
The lefty shooter averaged 15.4 points per game in 2015-16, and shot 38.8 percent from the field and 33.8 percent on three-pointers. He pumped in a career-high 34 points and five three-pointers in a 75-68 loss versus Norfolk State on Jan. 18, 2016.
Hunt originally started his college career at Jacksonville, but transferred following a coaching change. He also had two different head coaches during his stay at North Carolina A&T. He knew by the time his redshirt junior season ended that he’d likely be looking for a new home. He was committed to Pacific, but then NC State came along and presented a different option.
Hunt opened up his recruitment and unofficially visited NCSU last Wednesday. After meeting with Keatts and his coaching staff, he knew playing for the Wolfpack was going to be his choice.
NC State technically has one scholarship available, but also has players still deciding their future. Freshmen center Omer Yurtseven and forward Ted Kapita had entered their names into the NBA Draft and have until May 24 to withdraw if they want to return to school. Guard Terry Henderson is also waiting on the verdict of his appeal for a sixth season.
The Wolfpack hosted UNC Wilmington star sophomore wing C.J. Bryce on an official visit this weekend. He would have to sit out a year, but then have a chance to become the face of the program under his former coach for his remaining two years.
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