Kevin Keatts provides health updates on Dusan Mahorcic, Jack Clark

PeterWarrenPhoto2by:Peter Warren•01/30/23•

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NC State head coach Kevin Keatts has been without graduate transfer players Dusan Mahorcic and Jack Clark each for a few weeks now, and he doesn’t have any further updates on when he is expecting them back.

“I don’t have a timetable for either one of those guys,” Keatts said. “You’re gonna hear rumors. Someone told me, ‘man, Jack’s playing against Wake Forest.’ I was like, ‘well, that’s not true, because I’m the head coach. I would know that.’ You’re gonna hear that all the way until he plays the game or Dusan sound plays again.”

Mahorcic played in the first 10 games of the season — starting nine of them — averaging 8.7 points and 6.6 rebounds on 64.3% shooting in 20.9 minutes per game.

Clark has played in 15 games, starting all of them. He is averaging 9.1 points on the season along with 7.3 rebounds and nearly two steals per game.

Mahorcic hasn’t played since Dec. 6 and Clark hasn’t played since Dec. 30.

“They both have injuries that are so nagging. Dusan’s injury was very similar to what he had last year,” Keatts said. “So anytime you injure the same body part a couple of times, it takes a little longer. Jack’s dealing with the groin. Both of those guys at any moment can be ready.”

NC State is 6-1 without Dusan Mahorcic, Jack Clark

The Wolfpack haven’t skipped a beat with Dusan Mahorcic and Jack Clark, going 6-1 during the month of January without either player.

Their next game is against Florida State.

““They’re really good, and it’s unfortunate because, obviously, they’re going to get heavily penalized for what happened in November, December with a lot of injuries and then obviously not having one of their better players for 16 games,” Keatts said. “But this team is as talented as any team that we’re going to play in this league, and they can beat anybody on any given night. Sitting here watching them yesterday and today, they’re really good, talented and, obviously, you guys know that [FSU head coach Leonard Hamilton] has done a great job for a lot of years.”