Freshmen guards Ky'She Lunan, Adelaide Jernigan adjusting to NC State

NC State freshman guards Destiny “Ky’She” Lunan and Adelaide Jernigan are both in a good position where they will have a chance to grow into key roles for the Wolfpack.

ESPN.com’s HoopGurlz had Lunan ranked No. 55 overall in the class of 2025, and Jernigan was a few spots below at No. 58.

Moore said the two players are a little different than each other, but wants both of them to be able to make shots. Lunan might be further ahead on the defensive end, but Jernigan has done a good job the last few years of getting her body ready for college.

Related link: Was Vanderbilt transfer F Khamil Pierre’s addition a ‘miracle’? NC State coach Wes Moore thinks so

“Both of them, have an opportunity to have the length to come in and contribute,” NCSU coach Wes Moore said. “Adelaide can score at all three levels, shoot the three deep. Big thing with her is gonna be guarding the ball.

“The big thing with Ke’She is gonna be shooting the ball. I’ve seen great things from both of them in those areas. They’re gonna make an impact.”

The lefty Jernigan had a dynamic senior year at Kernersville (N.C.) Bishop McGuinness. She averaged 27.3 points, 6.0 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 2.5 steals per game. She shot 108 of 271 on three-pointers for 40 percent, and she was 50 percent from the field overall.

For the second year in a row, the Villians fell against Cherokee (N.C.) High in the NCHSAA 1A playoffs.

“I’ve known her for a long time, just ability to score the ball,” Moore said. “I think she’s another player that changed her body, which I think that’s always a big thing.

“I know she was one of our top ones when we did a conditioning test a week or two ago.”

Lunan averaged 21.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 4.2 steals per game last year at Goodyear (Ariz.) Millennium High. She shot 45 percent from the field and went 53 of 161 on three-pointers for 33 percent.

The Tigers went 25-6 and Lunan had 37 points in a 57-31 win over Valley Vista in the Open Championship.

“Super athletic, one of the best defenders coming out of high school probably in the country,” Moore said. “I think some people questioned her ability to shoot with range. I know I went and saw her play last year right before Christmas in Phoenix, and she scored about 35 and hit four or five threes. So as long as she does that, I think we’ll be OK with her offensive skills. She can handle it and get downhill really well.”

NC State sophomore point guard Zamareya Jones understands what the two freshmen and junior wing Qadence Samuels, a UConn transfer, are going through in a new environment. Vanderbilt power forward transfer Khamil Pierre hasn’t arrived on campus yet.

“I feel like all three of them adjusted well,” Jones said. “I was a freshman last year, so just welcoming them to the family, we eased, their transition has been easy. I love them and ready to play for them this year.”

Jones said the biggest adjustment after being a prep star at North Pitt High in Bethel, N.C., was the mental part of the game.

“Maybe it was also a little physical because I had never lifted weights or did anything in the weight room,” Jones said. “Just the competitive and speed of college basketball.”

Jones likes how Lunan and Jernigan both bring something different to the table.

“Ky’She, mid-range game, lefty, another Aziaha [James] coming,” Jones said. “Adelaide has a great shot, out of this world, so I’m just glad that they chose NC State. I’m ready to play for them this year.”

NC State recruited Samuels out of high school and she had a key role off the bench her freshman with the Huskies. The 6-foot shooting guard averaged 1.3 points in 5.5 minutes per game last year, appearing in 33 contests.

Moore just needed to figure out her current phone number after she entered the transfer portal. She had changed her number since high school.

“We knew her pretty well,” Moore said. “She had some other schools that she was working with. Fortunately, they decided to let us in then, maybe a little bit late, and get a visit down here.

“Someone long, athletic, can shoot the three, great family.”

NC State has offered Samuels junior sister Qandance Samuels, and the Wolfpack men’s program offered Qayden Samuels, who is a senior small forward. Both siblings play for Team Takeover traveling program on the Nike circuit, which Qadence played for, along with former NCSU players Mimi Collins and Jakia Brown-Turner.

“First of all, there is great talent in the DMV,” Moore said. “There is also great talent for Team Takeover. They do an awesome job. I was in Chicago this weekend, and in game to go to the Final Four, they won that game. It was an unbelievable back and forth game against the Tennessee Flight, who has talent as well. Those coaches have been really good to us.”

Recent NC State women’s basketball stories:

Former NC State men’s player Simon Harris rejoins women’s basketball coaching staff

NC State lands commitment from former Vanderbilt PF Khamil Pierre

Roster Reset: Projecting NC state women’s basketball’s starting lineup, rotation and more

‘We know what she’s capable of’: What UConn transfer Qadence Samuels brings to NC State

How NC State women’s basketball hopes to use summer workouts with young core

NC State coach Wes Moore excited about Aziaha James, Saniya Rivers in WNBA rookie seasons