Former NC State Basketball Guard Beginning Pro Career in Puerto Rico
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Just over a year removed from the NC State basketball program's miraculous run to an ACC title and Final Four appearance, most of the starters from that squad are now on professional contracts overseas.
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DJ Burns, DJ Horne, and Mohamed Diarra all moved on to the professional ranks following the Wolfpack’s epic journey.
But point guard Michael O’Connell returned for another season in Raleigh. Despite the 2024-25 NC State basketball team's disappointing campaign, the 6-foot-2, 195-pound New York native has now joined his former teammates in the professional ranks.
Last week, it was announced that O’Connell has signed with Criollos de Caguas to begin his professional career in the Baloncesto Superior Nacional, Puerto Rico’s top professional basketball league.
The news popped up via the organization’s official social media with the following post:
Nos alegra que desde el juego de hoy se integra Michael O'connell a la escuadra Criolla
— Criollos de Caguas BSN (@criollosbsn) March 24, 2025
O'connell viene de una gran participación en NC State y estamos seguro que su versatilidad, defensa y energía nos ayudará.
¡Bienvenido Michael a la presión!#lapresion #criollos #caguas pic.twitter.com/Llsujki05K
Caguas selected O’Connell at No. 10 in the 2025 BSN Draft two months ago, and the beloved Wolfpack talent reportedly joined the team over the weekend.
As a fifth-year senior this season, O’Connell started all 31 games, posting averages of 6.4 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 3.6 assists while shooting 30.5 percent from beyond the arc.
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