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NC State Newsstand: Will Dennis Parker Jr. be an instant-impact freshman?

On3 imageby: Ethan McDowell10/23/23ethanmmcdowell
On3 image
Dennis Parker / NC State MBB Athletics

Dennis Parker Jr. is the only freshman on the NC State men’s basketball team’s roster. Head coach Kevin Keatts brought in eight new faces for the 2023-2024 campaign, but seven of them are transfers.

Parker signed with the Wolfpack out of Richmond (Va.) John Marshall High as On3’s No. 102 recruit in the country, the No. 22 small forward nationally and the No. 2 prospect in Virginia. He picked NC State over Georgetown, Oklahoma State and others.

After enrolling with the Pack this year, he is already making a positive impression, and On3’s Jamie Shaw tabbed him as the No. 6 impact freshman in the ACC.

“Dennis Parker was a four-star recruit out of Richmond (VA) John Marshall,” Shaw wrote. “That Parker-led public high school team finished ranked in the top ten in the country last season. Parker came to NC State looking to fight for a spot in the rotation with MJ Rice, Ernest Ross, and others. Rice is taking a leave of absence from the program, and reports say that Parker has been better than expected in the pre-season. Wolfpack head coach Kevin Keatts has had a lot of success playing four out, with two guards and two wings on the floor around a big. Parker, a connective wing who can distribute, get out in transition, and guard multiple positions, could have the inside track on playing time at one of those wing spots. NC State has NCAA Tournament hopes, and production out of that connecting wing spot is pivotal in what Keatts likes to do.”

Tweets of the day

Wolfpack football’s showdown with Clemson will kick off at 2 p.m. on The CW Network.

The Pack extended an offer to three-star junior college offensive tackle Jayven Richardson.

Wolfpack women’s basketball sold out its Nov. 12 showdown with UConn at Reynolds Coliseum.

Wolfpack nickel commit Asaad Brown II is solidly committed to the program.

NC State quote of the day

This quote is from Pack wrestling head coach Pat Popolizio discussing Trent Hidlay.

“He’s been a rockstar for this program,” Popolizio said. “His wrestling ability is one thing, but the leadership that he instills with this team, and kind of bleeds into the other guys on this team, you can’t put a price tag to that.”

Today’s top NC State headlines

NC State’s Trent Hidlay maintains same goal after moving up weight class

Scouting notes on NC State DB commit Asaad Brown II

NC State opens as underdog ahead of Clemson’s visit to Carter-Finley Stadium 

NC State RB Micah Crowell retires from football