By R.L. Bynum
Dontrez Styles knows that going from playing basketball at North Carolina to playing for N.C. State — even with a stop at Georgetown in between — isn’t a move that anybody would have expected.
But the Kinston native is excited about his new adventure and glad to be back in his home state.
“I never would imagine this happening,” Styles said in a video posted on the official N.C. State men’s basketball account on X (formerly Twitter). “It’s very weird for somebody who goes to North Carolina and N.C. State. Me being one of the first guys to do that, I believe, is different, but I’m enjoying it so far and I can’t wait to get started.”
He is believed to be the first player to play for UNC and later play for N.C. State. In the 1940s, Bernie Mock, Fred Swartzberg and Bones McKinney all played for the Wolfpack before playing for the Tar Heels.
During his only season with the Hoyas, he was second on the team with 12.8 points per game and started all 32 games, but they finished 9–23, and he did it all far away from home.
“Playing back home; It’s amazing,” Styles said. “My family can see me play every game now.”
While N.C. State was a rival while playing 25 games over two seasons for UNC, Styles had already established relationships with the Wolfpack coaching staff. Assistant Coach Levi Watkins was on the Ole Miss coaching staff when he recruited Styles and Coach Kevin Keatts tried to get Styles to come to N.C. State out of high school.
“Having that relationship with them makes it easier every day,” Styles said. “I knew I wanted to come back home and play for a guy like Keatts. That’s the main thing for me.”
After watching N.C. State win the ACC title and make a run to the Final Four, Styles is excited about the possibilities next season.
“The hype is crazy, and I can’t wait to be back home. And we’ll get started and hopefully one day a national championship,” Styles said.
Photo via @PackMensBball
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