COACH WES MOORE: "Khamil is a Big Time Player"

NC State women's basketball coach Wes Moore recently met with the media and discussed Khamil Pierre's commitment, Zam Jones, the rest of the roster's development, and more.

I've got one, and add another forward, two parts. You're able to find one in Khamil. One, what was it like for you to be able to actually land her? And two, how does she change what your team looks like moving into next year now? 

Well, first of all, I think the good Lord looked down on me and said, "OK, you dumb butt, you've totally messed up this portal thing here, let me help you out a little bit." So, Khamil is someone we recruited out of high school and had a good relationship with. It was an unusual situation, but she was able to apply to a few universities she was interested in. Fortunately, we were one of them and she got accepted and all that. I think pretty quickly she made it clear that she wanted to be at NC State.

You can also look at the fact that we have one forward on our roster, really, in Maddie Cox. So there'd be a great opportunity to come in and make an impact. It's a perfect fit from that standpoint. And again, just really fortunate the way things worked out. We're excited about getting her over here. I think she's going to be someone. Goodness, she's a walking double-double and did that at a high level. Exactly what we needed and excited about the opportunity to work with her.

Yeah, because the process was a little bit different with her. In terms of like when y'all were allowed to talk to her about being on the team, what did that kind of look like?

Yeah, she had a person that worked with her from a recruiting service in Texas that had kind of reached out to the three or four schools that she had interest in and let us know about it. And then, I tell you what, the other thing that helped Vanderbilt's compliance sent out some information to Khamil and then they shared it with us, basically giving you a layout of how everything had to work. And again, biggest thing, we could not talk to her until she was accepted at the university.

So when I got the email and information from Vanderbilt's compliance, I went straight to our compliance people, our individual support, Jake Cunningham, and then also Carrie Doyle, who's overall compliance here at NC State. I gave them both copies of it, shared it with them. And obviously, let academics know because they would ultimately have to be involved with that if we had a player. But then we were kind of out of it until she went through the process and got accepted. Then, of course, we were notified and then we were able to start talking with her. And again, we were fortunate we had a relationship there. She didn't even, didn't, again, wasn't a very long, drawn out process. And like I said, just a miracle the way it all worked out.

Coach, looking back before that as well with you guys adding another piece, obviously, back from UConn, what was that process like and how different was that for you? And then what have you seen from her early on, too?

Yeah, Qadence, again, someone we recruited out of high school and knew pretty well. Ironically, when she went in the portal, I tried to call. I had her old number, so I don't know that they even knew we had called initially. And 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. And yeah, I mean, again, someone long, athletic, can shoot the three, great family. They all came down. She did come for a visit and with all her family. She's got a lot of brothers and sisters, and they're all really good basketball players as well. And again, I think she just realized from a standpoint of opportunity, but also the success our programs had.

And I'll say, in Khamil's case, I think having two players drafted in the first round with Saniya and Aziaha didn't hurt any, because obviously, these kids have aspirations of playing at the next level. So, but yeah, Qadence, again, somebody, she's looked really good in workouts, shot the ball really well. She played a lot of her freshman year at UConn. Then they were able to get some people healthy and also brought in some new players. And so her role kind of changed. And so I just think she was looking for an opportunity. I've talked to Geno, had good things to say about her. The same way Vanderbilt talked to Shea Ralph. So, we feel real, real good about where we are with them. And I think it's like I said, we filled a couple of real needs and I'm very comfortable at 11. For a while there, when we were at nine, I was getting ready to call Elliott and see if we could share the Pac-9 brand. Luckily, we didn't have to do that.

Well, I want to ask you, too, I mean, Qadence going back to her freshman year, her best game so far, at the college level was against you guys. I mean, how much did y'all talk about that? And I guess how comfortable does she seem in Reynolds being back there now?

Yeah, try to say, hey, you play really well in this building, so hopefully that'll carry over. Her parents, we joked about that when they came to the game. Obviously, it was an early, early season game. For some reason, they wore red that day. Both of them, her parents. And so the other Connecticut parents were giving them a really hard time about, what are you doing? But maybe it was a foreshadowing of things to come. Who knows? But yeah, I joke with Qadence. Again, we recruited her out of high school. So one of the three she hit right in front of our bench, she turned and yelled, boom. So I hope we get to hear a lot of booms this year. 

Hey, coach, I just wanted to follow up on something. I'm here at ACC Football Media Days, and Jim Phillips, during his press conference yesterday, said that he felt like most of the women's basketball coaches in the conference were against expanding the NCAA tournament. I was just kind of wondering if you were one of those coaches that's against that and kind of what maybe some of those conversations with the other coaches in the league were like about the pros and cons and expanding the tournament.

Yeah, I don't know that we talked about it a whole lot when we were at our meetings. And so it's kind of been a separate deal. I went back and forth between staying where we're at, maybe expanding to 72. I kind of went back and forth on that. So I'm good with whatever they decide. I didn't know what I was trying to find out. I never really got an answer is what would the bracket look like? How much would it add? How would those other four teams fit in? And would it add an extra game or would that be determined in the play in games? So I never really got an answer on that. But I'm obviously whatever, whatever everybody decides, I'm for it. But I don't know that I've put a ton of thought into it, to be honest.

And just a quick follow up to kind of stay on the tournament. I know last year that I think Geno Auriemma and Kim Mulkey and Vic Schaefer were some of the coaches that were kind of complaining loudly about the double regional two site format, two sites instead of four. Having had a team that's been to that second weekend now several years in a row. Do you have any thoughts on that, the pros and cons of two sites versus four?

Yeah, I see their side of it. Definitely. We've gone to Portland, Oregon, and then we went to Washington, Spokane last year. So we've traveled across the country both times, as did Connecticut. They were out there both times as well. And that is hard. It's a big, obviously, not only when you go out there, three hour time difference. But then when you go to the final four, that's a pretty quick turnaround. And you've traveled all the way across the country. I definitely see that side of it. The other side of it is, if y'all remember a few years ago, we were a number one seed and we had to go to Connecticut. And even though it wasn't on their home court, we definitely knew where we were. And obviously, we lost in double overtime in a game that would send you to the final four. So that was a tough way to go. So I think four would probably be better. But I think maybe if there is, and I know it's based on seeding and stuff. But to me, if there's a local team, you don't let them play real close to their campus. Maybe find a happy medium. You don't have to go all the way to Washington or whatever. But hey, let's at least make you get out of your home state. So I see both sides of it.

When you look at Khamil and the way she plays, what sticks out to you the most when you see her on the basketball court in her game?

Yeah, super athletic. She's a dog. I thought when we lost to LSU in the Sweet 16, I felt like we were lacking a little bit of that inside, getting boards, defending, things like that. I think she'll do that well. Obviously, she averaged 20 points a game. She's obviously able to score the ball as well. We like to play up-tempo. We like to run. I think she's very good at that. One thing impressed me, when you look at most forwards, forwards, post players, most of them are going to have more turnovers than assists. She actually has more assists than turnovers. That tells me she's willing to share the ball some. And again, we had a great need for that position. I just think it's like I said, it's a perfect fit. But we like to spread the floor out, attack, let them play, let our players have opportunities. I think Khamil will be really good in that system.

Just to follow up, you said you guys recruited her in high school. Did she ever take a trip to NC State recruiting-wise then? When do you expect her to be on campus now?

I'll be honest, I kind of messed up. I probably didn't offer in a timely fashion. Nowadays, you do that pretty early. And so she kind of made her decision before we got her on campus or anything like that.

Yeah, Coach, we talked to Zam a little bit ago. What does that say about her coming from a small school that she came from to NC State and being as successful as she is? And is it tougher for kids coming from those small schools?

Yeah. Obviously, she was able to make an impact her first year. Sometimes that's hard. Kayla Jones on our staff now, KJ, came from the same area code as Zamareya. And it took her a while. Never forget individual meetings. We had a discussion and basically asked me if I could be a little less hard on her, push her a little less, whatever, and a little less. And then I said, well, can you maybe go a little harder? And so I just think when you're at a smaller school, it's a big jump. And it's a big jump for anybody to go from a high school to, I think we finished in the top 10, six out of the last seven years. So when you're playing at that level, it's a big jump. But obviously, we've had players do it. And Zamareya, definitely, and I thought she was playing really well till she got hurt. She had a big game against Louisville. And the next practice, she dislocated her thumb on her shooting hand. So we're expecting her to come back stronger than ever here this year. But yeah, she's got a lot of confidence. And that's what it takes. You got to believe you can get it done.

You mentioned the big jump for freshmen. Your two freshman guards that you signed, what skill sets do they bring that you think that they'll be able to navigate those waters this year?

Yeah, they've looked really good in our workouts. Destiny Lunan goes by Ky’She, super athletic. One of the best defenders coming out of high school probably in the country. 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. But she can handle it, get downhill really well. And like I said, I think she's very capable of knocking down the three as well. Adelaide, known her obviously being from the Winston-Salem area, I've known her for a long time. Just the ability to score the ball. I think she's another player that changed her body, which I think that's always a big thing. We were talking about jumping from high school to college. I think a couple of years ago, she made a real commitment to not just the basketball training, but also the weight room, conditioning, all that. I know she was one of our top ones when we did a conditioning test a week or two ago. But both of them, I think have an opportunity to have the length to come in and contribute. And like I said, Adelaide can score at all three levels, shoot the three deep. The big thing with her is going to be guarding the ball. And the big thing with Ky’She is going to be shooting the ball. But I've seen great things from both of them in those areas. And so I think they're going to make an impact.

You mentioned earlier a little bit about missing some players in the portal and how all of that played out this year. How much of that do you think was players feeling like maybe this wasn't the best fit for them? Do you feel like there was a money aspect? What kind of went into that?

Yeah, I probably, again, I'm not a very good GM is what I found out. I probably, maybe in some cases, underestimated the amount of money that it would take to add a player. And then some of it is, hey, I like my players better. And I don't know that I want to dole out that much money in some of their cases. And then some of them, like I said, was just, maybe I didn't do a good job. We're fortunate, until up until July one, we were able to have the collective help of some. And then now revenue shares kicked in. But like I said, I just probably wasn't a great GM. My priority, though, I can tell you from day one was to keep our players. And that was my number one priority. And that's what we tried to get done first. We were very fortunate. We kept the core of our team. We did have one or two that, again, I think probably playing time wasn't exactly the role, wasn't exactly what they wanted. So we did have that. But we kept the core and that was my priority. I thought I'd have enough money left to get maybe three players. And as it turned out, it might have been enough to keep one. I mean, to go out and get one. So it's just a different era. And so, like I said, I'm learning. And but I said, the Lord shined down on me and I couldn't pick a better one. Khamil’s a big time player. So we're very fortunate to add her to this roster. It is really exciting. It's got me fired up. I'm a stallion. I may have another 10 years in me. Who knows?

So you feel better about the front court going into this season than you did last year?

I'm not saying that necessarily. But yeah, I feel better than I did a month ago. How about that? A lot better. Frozen margaritas for everybody.

Yeah, Wes, I have a two part question, sir. Number one, the characteristics that players have as they navigate their college career, they have to have growth, development, and expand their roles. What characteristics and traits do players need to have to do that? And do you think players like Jones, Awou, Trygger, they have those characteristics?

Yeah, I mean, I'm proud of our staff. Our coaches do a really good job of player development and working with these players. And again, you look back, y'all ask about how tough it is as a freshman coming from a small school, whatever. You look at where Aziaha James was her freshman year and even her sophomore year. And we were so fortunate that Aziaha was loyal and was willing to work and stick it out. And then boom, look what happens. So I do think our staff does a really good job working with these players and helping them get better and preparing them for the next level. And that definitely helps in recruiting. When players see that.

Yeah, I think Tilda has shown great improvement. Heck, she made the Swedish national team this year. First time she's done that. So that's the team that if they qualified would go to the Olympics. So that's impressive to make that team at her age. Now she's playing for the under 20 team. So she's over there all summer doing that. Lorena, again, hadn't been playing basketball that long. I've seen great strides in her. We need to get her healthy. She's still hindered some by a knee, but hopefully we get her completely healed up. And I love her upside, just her body, her strength. And she's athletic and move with that same length. So that's good. And then who was the other one you mentioned? 

I guess all players. You got Jones, you got Collier and players like that.

Yeah, yeah. Again, just in all their cases, they got to want it. They got to work and put the time in. We can work with them, but they have to also have that drive. And we've been fortunate to have a lot of players that have that drive and want to get better.

And my last question, sir. I think you mentioned the top 10, six of seven. I know it's sweet 16 is something like that too. Do you ever talk about standards at NC State? And if you do, what type of conversations do you have? Do kids embrace standard and wanting to not just maintain it, but enhance it?

Yeah, I hope so. I think our players, I mean, I'll be honest. Most of our team was pretty excited about the addition of Khamil because they want to win. And they realized we needed some depth there. We needed some length, some athleticism. So yeah, I think they all understand that. We've been very fortunate and have been on a good run. And we want to maintain that. And what is it they say? When the tide rises, all the boats are lifted. Hopefully our tide keeps rising and everybody's boat gets lifted.

Thank you, sir.

You mentioned a couple of times you're not a great GM. Football and men's basketball both have hired GMs in the past few years. Is that something you've thought about or talked to do about adding to your staff?

Yeah, I don't know. I think football, definitely you got to have a GM. I mean, you got potentially 105 guys on scholarship. And then the financial standpoint of staying under the cap and what you can afford to spend at certain positions, I can't even imagine. So I think you definitely got to have a GM there. But I think at any of our sports, at the end of the day, the head coach has to make a decision. You know what you have to work with. And you got to figure out as best as you can, try to do what's fair, but also try to be true to your team as far as being the best you can be. So I think at the end of the day, in our situation, the head coach has to make the final decision of how it all fits. You can say a GM's doing that. But at the end of the day, the head coach is the one. What is it Parcells used to say? If you're going to ask me to coach the team, cook the dinner, you ought to let me buy the groceries. At some point, you're going to have to make those decisions. So we kind of do it as a staff and knock those things out.

So this is more of a big picture question about team takeover. I believe you've now had three players, maybe between Jakia and Mimi and now Samuels. Obviously, their NC State men's program has recruited that program actively. Is there a commonality that you see when you get players from the DMV or just a certain toughness about them?

Well, there's just there's great. First of all, there's great talent in the DMV. And then there's also great talent in team takeover. They do an awesome job. I was in Chicago this weekend. And in the I think the maybe the 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 a lot of talent as well. But yeah, those coaches have been really good to us. And, as you mentioned, Jakia and now to add Qadence, I guess Mimi played for them as well. Of course, was at a couple of other schools before we got her. But yeah, I mean, again, there's great talent up there. And team takeover is very well ran, organized, well coached. So when they do come to college, they're prepared.

So the great thing is I did go out celebrate last week and played golf. And then when I hit a bad shot, I just say, that's OK. We got Khamil. So it'll all work out.