NC State Newsstand: MJ Rice, Ben Middlebrooks sign with the Pack
It’s officially the offseason for NC State football and basketball, but there will be no shortage of news between now and August. Our daily ‘Newsstands’ will be a way for our readers to catch up on what they missed from the day before.
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TheWolfpacker.com’s Wednesday Morning Newsstand
NC State men’s basketball officially announced the signings of former Kansas transfer guard MJ Rice and former Clemson big man Ben Middlebrooks. They make up two of the five transfer portal additions by the Wolfpack this offseason. Mohammed Diarra is the only addition who has not been formally announced.
Rice arrives in Raleigh after one season with Kansas. He is a former McDonald’s All-American who averaged 2.2 points in 7.5 minutes-per-game, playing in 23 matchups for the Jayhawks.
“It’s great to add MJ to our program,” head coach Keatts said in a press release. “He’s a young man that we recruited heavily when he was in high school. He’s an incredible talent, and I think he’s going to unlock his full potential in our system. He’s got a really strong body and that paired with his explosiveness gives him great scoring ability.
“I think the world of him as a young person. He’s a terrific young man, and I think he’s a great addition to our locker room.”
Middlebrooks, standing at 6-10.5, adds some serious size to NC State’s front court. The big man averaged 3.2 points and 2.7 rebounds per game for Clemson last season. He scored a season-high 10 points against the Wolfpack Dec. 30.
“I’m excited to welcome Ben to our program,” Keatts said in a press release. “Obviously he is a player that we are familiar with from his time at Clemson. I really like his versatility as a player. He’s very strong, but he also moves really well for a big man. He can make plays on both ends of the court. He’s shown that he has a high basketball IQ and I think he’s going to be a valuable member of our front court rotation.
“Off the court, he’s a great young man from a wonderful family, and I think he’ll be another great addition to our locker room.”
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Tweets of the day
Wolfpack women’s basketball officially announced the signing of Katie Peneueta, one of the best three-point shooters in the nation.
Rice is officially running with the Wolfpack.
The Wolfpack coaching staff stopped by Ona (WV) Cabell Midland High to see three-star linebacker-commit Cannon Lewis.
NC State quote of the day
This quote is from three-star Wolfpack quarterback commit Cedrick Bailey talking about how the coaching staff’s communication convinced him to join the program.
“That’s the biggest thing that led to me committing,” he said. “Then, when I came and took the visit, that sealed the deal. Those guys, they reach out to you, they love you.
“They love me, I love them too.”
Today’s top NC State headlines
NC State QB commit Cedrick Bailey: ‘I’m trying to get everybody’
BREAKING: Casey Morsell, Isaiah Miranda officially enter NBA Draft
MJ Rice transfer to NC State basketball analysis
Justin Terrell sets NC State official visit, shares interest in the Pack
