LOCKER ROOM REPORT: Wolfpack Players

Several NC State players met with the media via Zoom following the Wolfpack's 95-61 victory over Charleston Southern Wednesday evening.

NOTE: Click on each player’s respective thumbnail to watch each interview.

Devon Daniels

What are your thoughts on your career night tonight?

“I’m more focused on the way we played as a team. We had a lot of fun tonight. We hadn’t played against another group of guys in a very long time. I think our freshmen played well. They brought a lot of energy once we got in our rhythm on defense and on offense. They got their first-game jitters out of the way, and we got into a nice rhythm. I had a lot of fun. It was fun out there. It’s truly a blessing. We didn’t even know if we were going to have a season this year. This is truly a blessing, and I’m grateful for it.”

When the offense was struggling shooting early, did you feel like you had to take over the game?

“No, I just played the game. I just had fun with it. I took the shots that were available. My teammates got me some nice, open shots in the first half, and I was in a flow. We got our rhythm as a whole group later on.”

On the defense forcing 32 turnovers…

“It was great. With this being our first game, we weren’t running our plays as smoothly as we’re going to be, but us playing hard with a lot of hustle and energy made up for that. Those 32 turnovers really reflect that.”

How much did you emphasize working on your three-point shooting during the offseason? Is this something we should expect to see more of this season?

“I know the work I put it. I’m very confident with it, and really I’m just out here playing. I don’t think much; I just read and react. If the shot’s there, it’s going up with no hesitation.”

What did it feel like playing the first game of the season with no fans?

“The fans bring so much support, especially in this gym. With the history that this gym has, you kind of feel that energy in the air. Without them, we had to bring our own energy, and it wasn’t hard. We all love playing basketball. Basketball is fun for all of us, and it’s really a simple game when you get down to it. Bringing our own energy wasn’t hard. We all love playing this game, and it was our first game playing against somebody else in what felt like years. It was really fun.”

On the team’s depth…

“Like I’ve said before, this year is the first year we’ve had a deep freshman class since I’ve been here, and it brings a whole different perspective for us. Usually, we have grad transfers, and they kind of know their role. They’ve been around the game. With these freshmen, they’re hungry to play. They’re hungry to help this team win and find their role, and that helps us compete every single day in practice. In games, you can tell we’re all very hungry and ready to compete."

Braxton Beverly

How much have you had to re-familiarize yourself with the point guard position?

“It’s been a while since I’ve been the designated point guard, so it’s definitely taken a little bit to get back into, but I have a background with it. Over my years, even though Markell [Johnson] was the point guard, I still got to play it with him and alongside him. It wasn’t too much to get back used to, but it’s fun. It’s fun to be able to run the point and push the floor with the guys on this team. It makes it so much fun.”

How much confidence did hitting your first shot give you to continue shooting?

“It felt good. We got to play against another team. We were about to drive ourselves crazy playing against each other everyday for the last three months. It felt good seeing that first shot go in, but it was just letting it come to me, being patient, and letting everybody get the feel for it. It’s been a while since we’ve played against somebody else, and not only that, but we were in an empty gym. People haven’t done that in years. It’s different. It was good just to be patient. It took us a little bit to get going, but once we got it, we figured it out.”

Thinking back to your freshman year, how fun was it to watch this crop of freshmen to experience their first baskets and feel their excitement?

“It was great. I actually had a conversation with Dereon [Seabron] earlier today. We were talking about my first game. I told him my first bucket came off a layup off the press, and later that game, if I’m not mistaken, I’m pretty sure I missed a three really badly. We got the rebound, I got it and shot it again from the same position, and I’m pretty sure I air-balled it. I told him, ‘You’re going to have your jitters. You may not be nervous, but you’re going to be anxious.’ To see this talent group come in and play the way they did, you saw how excited we were getting for them. It felt great to see them out here with us.”

How good did it feel to get back on the court after eight months of getting healthy and repairing your back?

“It feels great. My main focus during this offseason was getting healthy so I could give this team everything I got, and I felt like I didn’t get to do that last season. My main focus was to get as healthy as possible, and I feel good now. I feel comfortable. I feel healthy.”

Is your back feeling all right after taking a hard fall in the second half?

“Yeah, it’s a little sore, but it’s going to be okay. I’m going to get through it."

Cam Hayes

How much did you want to contribute in multiple ways for the team tonight?

“I just wanted to come in and play really hard. A lot of the veterans established that off the tip, coming in and playing hard. When I got in, I felt like I had to play hard on both ends, and I got it started on the defensive end.”

How much did you have the first-game jitters before coming into the game?

“I was really anxious when Coach [Kevin] Keatts called my name, but once I got out there on defense and I got that steal, a sigh of relief came when I got that bucket. After that, I was calm, but I was definitely anxious watching on the bench before I got in.”

When was the last time you played in front of a crowd like that?

“It felt like one of those old AAU crowds when you’re young and not a lot of people were there. That’s what Braxton and I talked about before the game. It felt like he was back in AAU. It’s been a long time since I’ve played with no fans like that. It was still cool being in my first college game.”

How would you describe the whole game day experience from start to finish, considering all of the differences that went into this game day?

“It’s really different compared to high school, having practice for the game and coming in to watch a lot of film on a team. The preparation was real different from high school to college. That was really a big adjustment for me, but other than that, it’s just coming in and hooping every day.”

How was it to get your first points off of a dunk after stealing from around mid-court?

“It was really cool. Coach Keatts said I almost got a technical because I hung on the rim, so next time I won’t hang on the rim. It was cool that my first collegiate basket was a dunk. It was awesome."