With the departure of Justin Gainey to Elon, the NC State basketball program needed to fill their "Director of Basketball Operations" position. They did so by promoting former Wolfpack Forward Levi Watkins. Levi was a four year varsity player under former head coach Herb Sendek. Watkins starred at Montrose Christian and was a Parade All-American before enrolling at NC State. He was a vital piece to the the NC State team during his years on the court ('02-'05) after recovering from a knee injury that derailed his freshman season.
Watkins went on to join the NC State staff as an administrative assistant and video coordinator. With the departure of Gainey, Levi will now be moving up the ladder and we wish him the best. His previous position will be filled as soon as the University is able to hire, which most likely will not be until after the Wake County Education hiring freeze is lifted. Many believe that will be around June 1st, when the new budgets are revealed.
Congrats Levi!
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36 Responses to "NC State Names New "Director of Basketball Operations": Levi Watkins"Great to see Sid keeping it in the family with a guy who played the right way! Congrats Levi and best of luck in the new role!
Congratulations, Levi!
Exit former NC State player, enter new, former NC State player. I think I see a pattern here.
Go State!
We didn't hire Dwon or Brian Clifton?
Just kidding.....couldn't help myself. Congratulations to Levi.
I didn't realize Gainey had held the position previously. I thought it was another former player. What all goes into this job and how capable is Levi? Isn't schedule planning a major part of this position?
I was actually going to suggest hiring a Clifton. But, I've heard Brian Clifton has a some kind of problem with NCSU. What that problem is, I have no idea. Maybe WPH can help shed some light on that situation.
Congratulations, love to keep the jobs in the Wolfpack family.
Awesome for Levi. Great post as usual, WPH is on the story. For those of you who need something a little less "reliable," try my new blog "ncs-YOU.blogspot.com" It's not exactly made for the truth.
PPack,
It has to do with the recruitment of his brother Dwon, who attended Clemson and later transferred to UNC-G.
I'm not sure where the relationship now stands, seeing as we have a new staff and everything, but I don't think that hire would look to good for NC State. The names we've heard floating around are qualified and high character men, so the correct choice will certainly be made. (don't ask, we're not at liberty to name names at this point, sorry)
BREAKING NEWS::::::::::::::::;;;
Wolfpack Hoops & Fans I just heard some wonderful news on the John Wall front. I had someone who is very close to the entire situation from day 1 and I am being told that John Wall is going to commit to N.C. State within the next 48-72 hours !!!!
^Thanks for the post...yet we can't confirm this.
troll?
^^While as much as i'd like to beleive it, and i'm not necessarily saying you're lying, but i hope NOBODY believes that until it actually happens.
Oh, and congrats to Levi!
"Wolfpack Hoops & Fans I just heard some wonderful news on the John Wall front. I had someone who is very close to the entire situation from day 1 and I am being told that John Wall is going to commit to N.C. State within the next 48-72 hours !!!!"
Is this another silent verbal that is so silent that even John Wall doesn't know about it?!?!!
I'll believe it when I see it, till then I don't
WPH, trust me, I know the negative attention that Baylor got for their hire. It was a rhetorical suggestion as the Operations position has already been filled. I really didn't think Mr. Clifton (nor NCSU) would jump at the opportunity to unite.
Where did you hear this news, Anon?
Just put your trust and belief in me on this one. It will all start to unfold !! I can't reveal my name or source at this time so that I do not cause any problems within my family !
1. ^ why do I feel like this might be legit? I was figuring something might break today after Bledsoe committed to Kentucky. I hope you're right!
2. haha 2 hours later PackPride hits with the Levi story. Well done WPH, you guys are setting the standard around here as far as NC State athletic info goes.
^ I would like to believe you Mr. Mr. Anon. And god knows I hope you are right. But, without any more detail it's hard to believe you. But....again, I sincerely hope your sources are accurate.
WPH, I was wondering if you could shed some light about our scholarship situation. We already have 5 signed and still have 2 more guys we are going after. How will this all work out?
not going to trust anyone under an anonymous title...hope it happens, but doubt it ever will
^ If Painter and Wall decide to run with the Pack then they'll be able to. I know the scholarship situation says otherwise but just trust that our staff knows what they're doing.
Maybe there are some behind the scenes stuff we just don't know about. A player leaving? Medical hardship? ...NC State does give academic scholarships you know ; )
^ all of what I just mentioned is speculation and just some things to think about when talking about a scholarship situation. Sid wouldn't have taken Vandenberg or wouldn't be recruiting Painter and Wall if he didnt have room for them.
I have to say, it is not hard to start a rumor on the boards. (See: Lee Fowler is going to be fired!) Yet, it wouldn't surprise me to see John Wall make his decision sooner, based on current events. Bledsoe committing to Kentucky could mean less PT there, and the incident earlier in the week could drive his Mother to push for keeping him in Raleigh. Duke's 'system'(Coach K)is not good for JW, and Roy isn't all that interested (and I think the feeling is mutual). Hence the Dark Horse in the race.
Nothing would surprise me.
Having said that, I would FREAK if John Wall committed to NC State! And, I would hope that would get some folks off of Sidney Lowe's back. Although, negative people will still point to the Hickson experiment while arguing against Sidney. But landing J. Wall would be the first hurdle. The second hurdle, in getting the fan base united behind the basketball program, would be a championship (not necessarily next year).
Do you think Simion Harris would find a spot on the staff? I heard he showed alot of recruits around campus.
I am Afterglow
I have to say that all along I thought it would be Kentucky but now I have no idea what to think. To me, Duke my very well have taken him off of their list with what happened recently but who knows about that. Kentucky is probably out. North Carolina was never in according to John Wall but... Maimi? Possibly according to some sources. In any event, I think my head has spun more times than Linda Blares with this whole Wall thing.
^^ I'm not sure. I haven't heard what Simon's plans are. We'll try to find that out.
A lot can happen in 48 to 72 hours. He could change his mind several times.
This is obviously unconfirmed and us allowing that comment means nothing. We post all comments that do not bash our players or staff.
I see this comment making rounds on other boards and other sites. Just be careful blowing this out of proportion. It is posted by "anonymous" so it could be a Carolina fan, a kentucky fan, or it could be John Wall himself. There is no telling, and you really shouldn't buy into much until Wall announces.
Congrats Levi. Anon may be a rival fan pulling our chain. Don't believe everything you read. Great article once again WHP.
I forgot my password to log-in my google acct. anyone know how i can retreive it?
So... like... getting back to Levi??? I'm excited to see him working through the ranks of the NC State basketball hierarchy. And for those who don't remember, Levi was a scholar athlete for us, and I expect to see him coaching here in some capacity in the years to come. And when he gets to that point, he will have accumulated a lot of experience in every aspect of our basketball system. Way to go, Mr. Watkins.
Good job fellas!
http://blogs.newsobserver.com/accnow/high-grades-for-pack-devils-heels
Everybody does the 'waiver wire.' We sat down Marques Johnson in the offseason and told him to transfer (and that his scholarship wouldn't be renewed). Of that, I'm 100% sure. I'm 75% sure we did that with Ferguson and if push comes to shove we'll do the same with Farnold. Anything to make room for better players will be done. Anyone who thinks Sid is above this is looking at the world in red-tinted glasses. Every program does this road, including both Butch Davis and Tom O'Brien. TOB and Sid have even told walk-ons to not come back to make room for better walk-ons
John Wall would be much different from JJ. With a one-and-done guard you can make it "his team" and save chemistry. Not so much with a big man, who has little chance of setting up others, can't get the ball without asking for it, which leads to others on the team not liking the one-and-done big man. Unless your team or that player have no ego (UCLA with Love) a one-and-done big man is hard to throw into an experienced team and do well. Same thing happened with Tim Thomas at 'Nova years ago (he supposedly 'killed chemistry' too). Wall would be HUGE for us. Even Oden needed Mike Conley to take full reigns of the team!
Not sure why you people still talking up Wall. If you guy's want Sid to be around he does not need another one and done .
^^^Thanks P Sizzle
Not sure how Sid needs to miss on the best player in the country in order to stay around longer. Really? Methinks you're out-thinking yourself on that one.
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