Getting to know NC State baseball hitting star LuJames Groover III

On3 imageby:Matt Carter04/25/22

TheWolfpacker

One of the most significant additions to the NC State baseball roster this season has been Charlotte transfer LuJames Groover III.

Groover goes by the nickname “Gino,” and he’s starting to be known on a nickname basis by fans of the NC State baseball team.

On Sunday at Louisville, Groover had his 24-game hitting streak snapped. He’s still batting .372 for the season with four homers and 25 runs batted in while scoring 44 times. He also has a .512 slugging percentage, .450 on-base mark and an OPS (on-base plus slugging) of .962.

Groover has the top batting average, on-base percentage and runs scored in the Pack lineup. He’s tied with freshman Tommy White for the most hits (61).

Groover has also shown a defensive ability to play multiple positions, settling in at first base much of the time.

Here is your chance to learn more about LuJames Groover III, native of Morrow, Ga., off the field.

Why the nickname Gino? “Gino is a nickname that was given to my dad when he was younger. When I was born, I became Little Gino. Actually, I didn’t go by Gino until eighth grade. Before then I went by LuJames.”

Best movie you have seen? “Blade, with Wesley Snipes. One, two and three, it doesn’t really matter.”

Favorite concert you have been to? “I have never been to a concert actually, but I would like to go one day.”

What concern would you like to see? “Probably Lil Baby.”

How much thought do you put into your walk-up music? “I was actually just talking about changing one of my walk-up songs. I like them. Hitting is rhythm, and sometimes when I am in the box I like to be thinking of a song. As a pitcher, their job is to get a hitter off rhythm. My job is to be on time and have rhythm. I think when I walk up there and get into the rhythm of a song it helps me.”

If you hit a certain high percentage with a certain song…: “I’m playing that song.”

So far what has been your favorite class? “I’m not really sure. I don’t have a specific class.”

Besides baseball, what’s your favorite sport? “Basketball.”

What’s an athlete you looked up to? “When I was young I wanted to model my game after Derek Jeter. I was a shortstop growing up. I wore number four, but other than the number, I wanted to be just like Derek Jeter. I even have some of his books.”

Were you a Yankees fan? “I really didn’t have a team when I was younger. I mostly just watched the game and watched players.”

What is your go-to restaurant? “There’s this one place called American Deli. There’s one around here, probably 10-15 minutes away. There was one five minutes away from my house. It’s wings, pretty much. They have a lot of things, but for me specifically I go for the wings. Wings is my favorite food.”

What kind of sauce do you prefer on your wings? “Hot with lemon pepper sprinkles.”

What’s your favorite moment on a baseball team: “That walk-off I had earlier this year against Quinnipiac.”

What’s the last show you binged watch on TV: “Lucifer. I will recommend it. There’s six seasons I think. I probably watched it in two weeks.”

What’s your favorite ballpark that you have seen in person: “Mainly the only games I have been to MLB is the Braves. I have been to both of their stadiums. There have been some pretty good college parks, but I’ll say Turner Field, the old one in the south part of Atlanta.”

You have a go-to spot on campus to hang out yet? “I just hang with teammates. I am either in my own room or hanging with some teammates.”

In one word, how would you describe Coach Avent: “Chracter.”

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