Lipscomb Transfer Stephen Hurt on N.C. State's Radar

N.C. State added three post players in the class of 2013 but is still after frontcourt depth, and the most recent name to surface on Mark Gottfried's radar is Lipscomb University transfer Stephen Hurt, a 6-10, 275-pound space eater who was the Atlantic Sun's rookie of the year in 2012-13.

At first glance, a Lipscomb transfer might not exactly get Pack fans on the edge of their recliners, but when you see the offer list it becomes very hard not to be intrigued. Indiana and Arizona are among over a dozen schools that have requested the Big Hurt's services. One thing is for certain, the big man can board. His 23.9% defensive rebounding rate led the Atlantic Sun, and he was second in both offensive (11.9%) and total rebounding (17.8%) percentage.

Hurt averaged 11.5 points and 7.8 rebounds per game and posted double-doubles against Kentucky (pre-Noel injury), Memphis, and Florida Gulf Coast (twice), so it appears his game will translate against good competition. Though he does have some limitations: Hurt averaged three fouls despite playing just 24.3 minutes per game, was a bit turnover prone (19.4 TOV%) even for a freshman big, and appears to play below the rim despite his height (2.6% block percentage). Hurt did shoot a solid 53.5% from the floor and an impressive-for-a-freshman-big-guy 69.2% from the charity stripe.

It appears that Hurt, rather than transfer directly to a D-I program, will spend a year at JUCO hoops factory Northwest Florida State. One can't help but speculate that grades have something to do with this circuitous route to big-time basketball. Regardless, Hurt will be eligible to suit up for his next squad in 2014-15.