We are taking a look at the returning players for NC State in what we'll call "Offseason Agenda" with no real order, though we started with No. 0 DJ Funderburk.
Review: Funderburk was able to get some redemption last year with NC State. The former Rivals.com No. 77-ranked player in the class of 2016, he redshirted at Ohio State his freshman year, and then departed the program for Northwest Florida State College in Niceville, Fla.
NC State was confident he could help because former assistant coach A.W. Hamilton had coached Funderburk at Chatham (Va.) Hargrave Military Academy for a year, and it also was a nice perk that he’d have three years of eligibility remaining.
What wasn’t expected for Funderburk was how much center he’d have to play. Freshman Ian Steere quit the team after one game, and fellow freshman Manny Bates had season-ending shoulder surgery in the preseason. That left Funderburk and then redshirt junior center Wyatt Walker as the lone players over 6-foot-8.
Funderburk only started one game, but he proved to be a productive, averaging 8.8 points and 4.2 rebounds in 19.9 minutes per game. He proved to be an adept mid-range shooter and even made seven three-pointers (in 26 attempts). It also helped that he was a quality free-throw shooter at 78.5 percent. His 121 attempts led the Wolfpack, which is impressive considering his minutes per game. Expanding his numbers to 40 minutes per game, he’d have averaged 17.7 points, 8.5 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game.
The slender Funderburk, who is 6-10 and 210 pounds, also proved adept at finding the sweet spot of zone defenses, and he was a factor on the offensive boards (only had two more defensive rebounds than offensive). He reached double figures in 16 games.
Upcoming Role: Much like some of his NC State teammates, he’ll be getting an expanded role this season and will need consistency.
Funderburk has a high upside, who along with senior point guard Markell Johnson, should draw the attention of NBA management. His journey could be more baby steps of improvement rather than a drastic one. NC State would love for Funderburk to do what he did last year, just for longer minutes, which can happen if he avoids the ticky tack fouls.
If he is a little bit stronger, that will help him with his defensive rebounding. He clearly loves to hit the offensive boards with the reward of making getting a quick two points, but rebounding could be a team-wide emphasis next year.
With players such as Pat Andree, Jericole Hellems and Atticus Taylor lining up beside him at power forward, Funderburk’s shot-blocking ability will be badly needed once again.
Offseason Emphases: The heavy lifting will need to happen during this offseason, literally. Funderburk might not easily put on weight, but he can get wirily strong with his first offseason in the NC State weight and conditioning program.
He’s unlikely to ever be a 240-pound brute, and he didn’t add much weight during his sit out year at Ohio State, so how many pounds he gains might not tell the true story with Funderburk. That doesn’t mean he can’t be wirily strong.
Funderburk will be needed to stay out of foul trouble and play close to 30 minutes a game. He doesn’t have Walker as a tag-team partner, but Bates is healthy and should be a capable backup. NC State also added Missouri-Kansas City graduate transfer Danny Dixon as 6-10 insurance.
Review: Funderburk was able to get some redemption last year with NC State. The former Rivals.com No. 77-ranked player in the class of 2016, he redshirted at Ohio State his freshman year, and then departed the program for Northwest Florida State College in Niceville, Fla.
NC State was confident he could help because former assistant coach A.W. Hamilton had coached Funderburk at Chatham (Va.) Hargrave Military Academy for a year, and it also was a nice perk that he’d have three years of eligibility remaining.
What wasn’t expected for Funderburk was how much center he’d have to play. Freshman Ian Steere quit the team after one game, and fellow freshman Manny Bates had season-ending shoulder surgery in the preseason. That left Funderburk and then redshirt junior center Wyatt Walker as the lone players over 6-foot-8.
Funderburk only started one game, but he proved to be a productive, averaging 8.8 points and 4.2 rebounds in 19.9 minutes per game. He proved to be an adept mid-range shooter and even made seven three-pointers (in 26 attempts). It also helped that he was a quality free-throw shooter at 78.5 percent. His 121 attempts led the Wolfpack, which is impressive considering his minutes per game. Expanding his numbers to 40 minutes per game, he’d have averaged 17.7 points, 8.5 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game.
The slender Funderburk, who is 6-10 and 210 pounds, also proved adept at finding the sweet spot of zone defenses, and he was a factor on the offensive boards (only had two more defensive rebounds than offensive). He reached double figures in 16 games.
Upcoming Role: Much like some of his NC State teammates, he’ll be getting an expanded role this season and will need consistency.
Funderburk has a high upside, who along with senior point guard Markell Johnson, should draw the attention of NBA management. His journey could be more baby steps of improvement rather than a drastic one. NC State would love for Funderburk to do what he did last year, just for longer minutes, which can happen if he avoids the ticky tack fouls.
If he is a little bit stronger, that will help him with his defensive rebounding. He clearly loves to hit the offensive boards with the reward of making getting a quick two points, but rebounding could be a team-wide emphasis next year.
With players such as Pat Andree, Jericole Hellems and Atticus Taylor lining up beside him at power forward, Funderburk’s shot-blocking ability will be badly needed once again.
Offseason Emphases: The heavy lifting will need to happen during this offseason, literally. Funderburk might not easily put on weight, but he can get wirily strong with his first offseason in the NC State weight and conditioning program.
He’s unlikely to ever be a 240-pound brute, and he didn’t add much weight during his sit out year at Ohio State, so how many pounds he gains might not tell the true story with Funderburk. That doesn’t mean he can’t be wirily strong.
Funderburk will be needed to stay out of foul trouble and play close to 30 minutes a game. He doesn’t have Walker as a tag-team partner, but Bates is healthy and should be a capable backup. NC State also added Missouri-Kansas City graduate transfer Danny Dixon as 6-10 insurance.
