The NC State Wolfpack has a rich basketball history with numerous legendary players who have made a lasting impact on the program and the sport. Here are some of the greatest NC State basketball legends:

David Thompson (SG/SF, 1972–1975)

  • The greatest player in NC State history and one of the best in college basketball history.
  • Led NC State to its first NCAA Championship in 1974, ending UCLA’s dynasty.
  • Three-time ACC Player of the Year and two-time National Player of the Year.
  • Scored 2,309 career points without a three-point line.
  • Inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.
  • Known for inventing the alley-oop play and his 44-inch vertical leap.

Tom Burleson (C, 1971–1974)

  • 7’2″ center who anchored the Wolfpack’s 1974 championship team.
  • Had a legendary battle against UCLA’s Bill Walton in the Final Four.
  • Played six seasons in the NBA.

Dereck Whittenburg (SG, 1979–1983)

  • Famous for the “airball pass” that led to Lorenzo Charles’ game-winning dunk in the 1983 NCAA Championship.
  • Averaged 15.7 PPG during the 1983 title run.
  • Later became a coach and ambassador for NC State basketball.

Lorenzo Charles (PF, 1981–1985)

  • Best remembered for his iconic dunk at the buzzer to win the 1983 NCAA Championship.
  • Helped NC State pull off one of the biggest upsets in NCAA history against Houston’s “Phi Slama Jama”.
  • Played professionally for several years.

Sidney Lowe (PG, 1979–1983)

  • Starting point guard for the 1983 championship team.
  • Led NC State with 8.2 APG in his senior season.
  • Went on to coach NC State from 2006–2011.

Julius Hodge (SG/SF, 2001–2005)

  • 2004 ACC Player of the Year.
  • Led NC State to the Sweet 16 in 2005.
  • Averaged 17.0 PPG, 6.1 RPG, and 3.6 APG in college.
  • Drafted by the Denver Nuggets in 2005.

Thurl Bailey (SF/PF, 1979–1983)

  • Leading scorer of the 1983 NCAA Championship team.
  • 7th overall pick in the 1983 NBA Draft by the Utah Jazz.
  • Had a long pro career in the NBA and overseas.

Chris Corchiani (PG, 1987–1991)

  • One of the greatest passers in NCAA history.
  • First player in NCAA history with 1,000+ career assists.
  • Played in the NBA and overseas.

Rodney Monroe (SG, 1987–1991)

  • NC State’s all-time leading scorer (2,551 points).
  • 1991 ACC Player of the Year.
  • Teamed up with Chris Corchiani as part of the “Fire and Ice” backcourt.

Monte Towe (PG, 1972–1975)

  • 5’7″ point guard who was instrumental in the 1974 championship team.
  • Credited with popularizing the alley-oop with David Thompson.
  • Later became a coach at NC State.

Kenny Carr (PF, 1974–1977)

  • 1976 Olympic Gold Medalist with Team USA.
  • Averaged 21.0 PPG and 9.7 RPG as a junior.
  • Played nearly a decade in the NBA.

T.J. Warren (SF, 2012–2014)

  • 2014 ACC Player of the Year.
  • Averaged 24.9 PPG in his sophomore season.
  • Selected 14th overall in the 2014 NBA Draft by the Phoenix Suns.

Dennis Smith Jr. (PG, 2016–2017)

  • Dynamic one-and-done guard who averaged 18.1 PPG and 6.2 APG in his lone season.
  • 2017 ACC Rookie of the Year.
  • Drafted 9th overall by the Dallas Mavericks.

These players helped define NC State basketball and left a lasting legacy in college basketball history.