NC State Basketball Portal Watch: PJ Haggerty Secures Combine Invite
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Even if the wave of Friday predictions in the PJ Haggerty transfer race prove accurate, first-year NC State basketball head coach Will Wade and his staff would likely still be in a battle with the NBA route for the high-powered guard's services next season.
ALSO READ: NC State Transfer Guard Bryce Heard Commits to Flyers
After all, after averaging 21.7 points, 5.8 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.8 steals for the Memphis Tigers en route to becoming the 2024-25 AAC Player of the Year, a follow-up to his AAC Rookie of the Year campaign at Tulsa after redshirting at TCU in 2022-23, there's no telling the heights that Haggerty might reach next.
And he's now guaranteed a shot to prove his value against projected draft picks.
On Friday, the league announced the list of 75 invites to this year's NBA Draft Combine, set for May 11-18 in Chicago, and it includes Haggerty. His inclusion suggests scouts and the likes legitimately see him as a potential draft pick in Brooklyn's Barclays Center, June 25-26.
NEWS: The NBA has announced these 75 players have been invited to the Draft Combine, which will be held May 11-18 at Wintrust Arena and the Marriott Marquis in Chicago. pic.twitter.com/5xWb9oQ3FN
— John Fanta (@John_Fanta) May 2, 2025
The 6-foot-3, 192-pound Texas native and other early draft entrants have until May 28 to withdraw from the NBA Draft pool and retain their remaining college eligibility.
For now, Haggerty hasn't revealed a winner in his recruitment as a third-time transfer. Again, though, NC State basketball appears to own all the momentum.
Meanwhile, NC State's latest 2025 recruiting prize, Congolese big man Paul Mbiya, is an early draft entrant but is absent from the NBA Draft Combine list, indicating a high probability that he actually ends up in a Wolfpack jersey for the start of the Will Wade era.
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Matt Giles is the editor and publisher of NC State Wolfpack on SI, Duke Blue Devils on SI, and North Carolina Tar Heels on SI, making him a key source for comprehensive coverage of these storied college basketball programs. Since joining NC State Wolfpack on SI in 2024, Matt has been dedicated to providing in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive content on all three teams. He covers everything from game previews and recaps to player profiles and recruiting updates. Matt's expert knowledge of these teams has made his work a go-to resource for fans and followers of Duke, NC State, and UNC. As publisher, he shapes the editorial direction, ensuring that the most relevant and timely information reaches his audience.
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