NC State head coach Wes Moore met with the media during the breakout session of the 2026 ACC Basketball Tipoff in Charlotte, N.C.
NOTE: Click the video above to watch the full press conference!
Opening statement...
If I come down early on Sunday, get here, go to Buffalo Wild Wings, and watch the first half, I'll be in my room at four o'clock. I had to do a Zoom with a recruit from Spain, so I've got the TV there and the Zoom here. One of my assistants said, "You were watching, weren't you? I saw your eyes going up."
They're frustrating. They drive me crazy. Golly, I miss the days when you played defense. Nowadays, everybody's putting up numbers. But, oh well, they found a way to win.
I know the season hasn't started yet, but what do you think the team's personality is so far?
Yeah, what I love is I feel like our chemistry is really good, really in a good place. 95% of the seasons — this is my 38th year as a head coach — we have had great chemistry.
I went to a former player's wedding a few years ago, and one of the players hit me on the leg under the table at dinner and said, "You know what you always did well?" And I thought, "Oh boy, where's this going?" She said, "You always recruited players that liked each other."
I think that's important: to have a team that will play for each other and enjoy the journey. It's a long, grinding season. You've got to have fun.
I like where we are from that standpoint. We're going to have to play faster and harder. We're undersized. We don't have the length we've had, so we're going to have to play really fast and hard, get in the passing lanes, apply ball pressure, and turn up the heat, so to speak, if we want to have a chance. We'll see how that goes.
I felt like one of the sneaky things you guys did over the offseason, which is really cool, was adding Ronny Fisher to the staff as the director of player development. He's done so much at Campbell and helped develop some really good players there. How does having another former head coach on your staff help?
We lost Houston Fancher. He retired, and he had been with me for quite a while. We actually started coaching together at little Maryville College 100 years ago, when he was on the men's side, and I was coaching the women. He married one of my players, which, nowadays, I think, you go to jail for. But they were close in age, a year or two difference.
I lost somebody who had been a head men's coach at that stage for nine years, so he was a great help on the bench and things like that.
Then I thought of Ronny Fisher, and to be honest with you, one night I just took a flyer and called him. He said, "You won't believe it. My wife and I have been praying for a situation like that. My son is a junior in high school, and I want to spend time with him."
In that position, I don't have him go recruiting, so his weekends are pretty free. I think he's going to be a big asset on the court defensively. I think he'll bring a lot to it. He's a great person, and I think the players really like him.
We lost a great coach and person in Houston Fancher, and I think Ronny Fisher was the perfect answer to fill that spot. We're blessed to have him.
You talked about the lack of length on this year's team. How difficult is that with your schedule, both nonconference and in the ACC?
It's tough everywhere. We play a great nonconference schedule, and then the ACC is brutal. Nine teams went to the NCAA Tournament a year ago, so every night is competitive and a challenge.
We're going to have to play differently. Whether it's getting in the passing lanes and trying to apply a little more pressure, maybe doubling some, especially in the post, we may have to do some different things.
Khamil Pierre and Khady Leye, from another Power Four school, are both athletic and about 6-foot-2. We're just going to have to play quicker than people and try to make up for that lack of size.
How does something like this challenge you, as a coach, to dig deeper into your bag and find different ways to put your team in a position to succeed?
We've been around a long time, and in the past we've played more of a containment defense. But we've always had this in our bag. Now, this year, it's coming to the forefront and becoming more prominent in what we're trying to do.
Do you think your team is deep enough to do that, or will the starters have to play a lot of minutes?
I think we've got some depth with this team. We added three freshmen, three transfers, and six returning players. I think we'll have a lot of people contribute.
We'll see as we get into it, but I do think we have some depth. Hopefully, we can get in a little bit better shape. Everybody wants to play fast until you start saying the R-word: run. That's part of it. Hopefully, we can buy into that.
We don't have the size we've had. We found out size is expensive nowadays, so we're going to have to do it a little bit differently. But I like our talent. I really like our chemistry, and hopefully the defense will be better.
When we went to the Final Four, I think we were fifth in the conference in offense, but third in defense. This past year, we were first in scoring in ACC games but sixth in defense, and we saw what happened. We've got to buy into the other end of the court.
Do you feel you have a responsibility to educate your players about broader issues such as the Protect College Sports Act?
We try to educate our players. Right now, there's a whole lot of money out there, and hopefully you can get the word out to them that this can almost change your life if you're smart with it.
You try to educate them in those areas. I'm still waiting to see if it passes through everything first, so we haven't talked a ton about that yet.
But it's definitely an exciting time for student-athletes and women in sports. There are a lot of things out there for them right now, but you've got to make sure you utilize them in the right way.
You talked a little bit about Nikki West and your relationship going back to Chattanooga. How important is she to NC State's success?
I can't say enough about her. I've leaned on her so much more here the last few years. Most of the time, if I make a decision that's different than what she would make, I end up regretting it. Of course, she never rubs that in on me.
She's great with the players. She's a great, caring person, and she makes good decisions, whether it's on the court, in recruiting, or in similar situations. I lean on her heavily.
How much have you tracked the ways the rules change depending on the judge, jurisdiction, and court ruling?
Not a whole lot. I'm aware of the basics, but it still has to go through another round of voting, and I don't think it's going to be easy.
Sorry, I asked that poorly. I mean the eligibility lawsuits. It seems like it could depend on which judge, which jurisdiction, or which county they're in. The rules are seemingly changing across football and men's and women's basketball. How much are you following that, and how much of a handle do you have on what the rules actually are?
Not so much right now. We're too far into school, and that's what happened. We were involved with a kid or two, and it got dragged out. Now we're in school and started up, and we can't do anything.
We still have academic rules and restrictions, believe it or not. That's the frustrating part. But at this point right now, I'm not too concerned. It's too late for me to add a player academically right now.
So, in your case, you at least tested the waters for as long as you could, and then it reached the point where it was no longer compatible with the academic schedule?
I'm talking to my academic people, and they're saying, "Hey, this is the deadline right here coming up." When it got dragged out past that point and we didn't get a ruling, it was over. I can't do it.
Obviously, as we get closer to the semester, you could revisit that stuff. But right now, I'm focused on what we've got and who's in the building.
As a former ACC player and coach, I remain frustrated with referees. Going into the season, what are you looking for and what are you hoping for?
That's a tough job, and I wouldn't want it. It's tough — not in, not out. Let's face it, the better your team is, the better the officiating seems.
My first year at Chattanooga was the only losing season I've experienced, and I think I got a few technicals that year because when you're frustrated, that's who you're going to take it out on.
But we do have what's considered the best officials in the country. We have to make sure we're educated, our players are educated, and we understand how things will be called.
Coach Moore, you've established a legacy of consistency and a pillar of culture at NC State. Last year, you were among the ACC leaders in rebounds per game and fewest turnovers per game, and you've set records for consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances and consecutive years with an NCAA Tournament win, despite the standard Kay Yow established. How do you fight complacency knowing you're as decorated as you are, and your résumé is what it is?
First of all, I was an assistant for Coach Yow. She's the one who built this program and established our legacy and the importance of women's basketball at NC State.
We're fortunate because of that. Our administration, our fans, everybody is very supportive of women's basketball. I don't think that's the case everywhere, so that's a big advantage.
But every year is a new year. We lost two starters from this team, and we'll have to rely on some new players, whether they're transfers or freshmen.
Last year, we finished fourth out of 18 teams. A lot of people say, "Oh, that's a good year." But when you've won five ACC championships, been in the Elite Eight one year and the Final Four one year, finishing fourth isn't what you aspire to. That keeps you hungry and keeps you working. Hopefully, you can get it back where you want it.
Finish this statement for me, Coach: NC State women's basketball wins an ACC championship this year if...
If that dumb-butt coach does everything.
I think we're going to have to play really hard. For us to be successful, we're going to have to play really hard and really fast. We're going to have to speed people up. We're going to have to turn it up a notch.
We've been more containment and that sort of thing. Now we're going to have to dictate more on defense. To do that, we're going to have to play really hard.
What celebrity do you want courtside this season?
Boy, celebrity courtside. Not many people know it, but Beyoncé and I have a special relationship. It'd be neat if she could make it. She keeps telling me she's going to come to a game, so hopefully we'll see her sometime soon.
Has Beyoncé ever mentioned you in a song? If she wrote a song about you, which one would it be?
You might have heard of "Drunk in Love?"
Did you watch the season finale of Love Island?
I have not.
Do you have a big "ick" in a player? What's a basketball ick for you?
Probably Khamil and her step-back fadeaway.
What do you like about your team so far?
I like that they've come in with energy every day to practice. I think that helps everybody and sets the tone.
Again, they get along really well. We've got really good chemistry right now. Hopefully, we maintain that excitement and energy and make the journey fun. It's a long season, so let's make it fun.
What does it mean to have Zoe Brooks back for her fourth year?
We're just blessed that she's here and has stayed here for four years. She could have gone in the portal and would have had all kinds of people throwing money at her. She's very loyal and a great leader for us. We're very blessed that Zoe's been with us for four years.
How did you see her manage going through an injury this summer, not being able to be on the court every day and just doing what she could?
We're a little different than some people. We don't require ours to be there for Summer I, so they get about five weeks to go home.
Summer II, we try to have everybody there, and she couldn't really do on-court stuff. She was doing a lot of rehab and things like that. She started working her way back onto the court in non-contact situations.
Pretty much once we started practice, she's been full-go. But I remind her all the time, "Hey, you need to take some reps off. You need to take a day off." We've got to make sure she's healthy when we need her in February and March.
She said at first she was forced into the leadership role. How have you seen her step into that leadership role?
I don't think Zoe is necessarily really vocal. I think the best testament to her being a leader is that at the end of last year, or maybe during the year, I asked them, "Who's the best influence in our locker room?" Almost every one of them said, Zoe Brooks.
Even though she might not be very vocal, I think she's getting better at that. She's learning how to lead in that way. Obviously, a big part of it is leading by example.
She and Khamil will both play a big role in doing that.
Zoe said she couldn't imagine you coaching any differently. Would practice be the same regardless of the expectations for this team?
Yeah, pretty much. I don't make many concessions in that area.
I'm never satisfied, always wanting to get better. They sometimes tend to think they've arrived, and then I have to bring them back down to earth and say, "No, we're not there yet." But I wouldn't coach any differently, I don't think.
Khamil said you yell a lot.
She said I would?
She says you do.
No, come on. I'm passionate.
You guys have an exhibition this week. What are you looking forward to seeing?
I don't know. It's early. I've never done games this early, but I kind of like the way they're spaced out.
We're doing one, then we've got a week or so. We do a scrimmage, and then we have fall break. I let them have fall break for a couple of days, and then we'll come back and have one more exhibition game before we jump in.
I think it's going to be good because we've got some new players that we're really going to count on. Seeing how they fit and how we come together as a team will be important against outside competition.
I know you're a Cowboys fan. How is practice after a Cowboys win versus a loss?
Oh gosh, why'd you have to go there?
We lost to the Giants. I came in, and one of my managers was wearing her Giants hoodie. I've got a guy on my staff who's an Eagles fan. It's been a hard 30 years.
For a while there, we went to the playoffs for like 20 straight years. I go back to Roger Staubach. Y'all may not even know who he is, but Roger Staubach, Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith, Drew Pearson. We won all those close games.
Now, sometimes we don't win those close games. It can affect my mood. There's no doubt. I need to learn to get over that.
Coach, what are your thoughts on the league and how it continues to evolve? It seems to get better and better.
There's no doubt. It's brutally tough. You're playing against great athletes every night and great coaching every night.
We had nine teams go to the NCAA Tournament a year ago, so that's half the teams. Pretty much night in and night out, you're going to have to play well to win. It makes you better.
Hopefully, it pushes you to the next level. But sometimes when you're going through it, it's not a whole lot of fun.
Since you started in the league, do you think the bottom of the league has moved closer to the middle? Everybody talks about the best teams, but even the teams toward the bottom have gotten better.
They're getting better. You've got to give the players a lot of credit. They've worked really hard to improve their game, their skill levels, what they can do, and their scoring at all three levels.
Their athleticism is off the charts. Khamil can dunk with ease and all those things. It's made it a lot more exciting for the fans. It's really neat to see how much exposure and attention they're getting.
How do you look at the top of the league this year? Which teams do you expect to be up there?
I think you should start with the teams that have already done it. Last year, obviously, Duke had a great year. Louisville, Carolina, Notre Dame — I think those same teams are going to be there.
But as you said, there are a lot of teams that were in the middle that I think are now going to aspire to get up there. Obviously, I hope we're there. We finished fourth last year, and hopefully we can get back to competing for championships.
What is it like to play against a player who used to be on your roster?
It is different. For a long time, before we started all the portal stuff, I think we were one of the top programs in the country as far as retention.
It is frustrating that you don't necessarily have them for the past four years. But I can't really worry about playing against a former player for a game or two. I'm more worried about the ones here that I've got for 30 games than the one we may face once.
Your former first-round WNBA draft picks, Saniya Rivers and Aziaha James, are playing tonight. Have you been able to keep up with them?
Yeah. I've been able to watch them on TV some.
Actually, I went down and saw them play against each other in Dallas probably three weeks ago. That was neat. I'm really super proud of them, how they represent our program and the success they're having. It's really neat.
And are Zoe and Khamil players you think could eventually reach that level?
I think both of them definitely are in the conversation. They definitely have the talent.
It's tough. It's very competitive to play at that level, so they'll both have to keep growing as players. Hopefully, we can help them do that and develop them to their fullest.
Audrey Ericksen came in as a walk-on. How special was the moment when you gave her a scholarship, and what led to that decision? What was the reaction like?
I've had so many people in Raleigh tell me they know her and her family and how great they are. She's been really good for us.
Even though she initially came in as a walk-on, I think she provides some leadership to the young players and works extremely hard. She sets a great example for everybody else. It's awesome to have her.
How has it been with your veterans and these new freshmen coming in? How have the veterans helped guide them and make the transition to college basketball smoother?
I think they've been really good. I love our chemistry right now and where we are with it.
I think Khamil and Zoe, and then Maddie Cox, are our chosen leaders. I think all three of them remember when they were freshmen and how somebody took them under their wing. Now they're taking great pride in doing that as well.
What has put the biggest smile on your face during the last two weeks of practice?
Probably can't tell you.
There's always something. You cut up with the players before and after practice, and some of the things they come up with will definitely keep you young and laughing.
You said you took a position at a Division III school because that was the only job available. Here you are so many years later. Why do you coach?
I still love people. I still love being around the players, my coaching staff, and other coaches. I enjoy that fraternity, if you want to call it that, of being around the game and around the people.
I still enjoy the coaching part of it, trying to get better and helping players get better and develop.
That's why it's tough now. It used to be you had them for four years. Aziaha James hardly played her first year. Her second year, she didn't play much, but she stuck with it.
Nowadays, she probably would have left, but she stuck with it and ended up being a great player for us and a first-round draft pick. That's what you really love about coaching.
Even though it's harder nowadays, you still have Zoe Brooks and even Khamil sticking around. Khamil had opportunities as well. That's what keeps you around. Plus, I suck at golf.
How many former players' weddings have you been invited to?
Not as many as you think. I can't make it to all of them, and it just depends. But that was a special one.
She was actually a graduate assistant for me for a year as well. Her husband's a coach. It was special to go to that and see the players.
They still keep in touch and lean on each other through life's tough times. That's what being part of a team is about.
Do they ever come by with their kids and introduce them?
Oh yeah. It's been fun over the last several years. When I go out recruiting in the summer, I see former players there watching their kids play. That's pretty special.
