PITTSBURGH – Decision time remains prevalent for players surrounding the Atlantic Coast Conference. As March comes to a close, players continue to search for new destinations and teams molding their rosters for a run at next year’s ACC title. North Carolina, NC State, and Boston College players have made headlines to begin the week.
Brown Transfer Paxson Wojcik Commits to North Carolina
With the departure of Caleb Love, Puff Johnson, Dontrez Styles, and others from the North Carolina roster, the Tar Heels are preparing to replace three starters with only RJ Davis and Armando Bacot set to return. Help is on the way for the Heels.
Brown graduate transfer Paxson Wojcik has committed to North Carolina, according to Joe Tipton of On3sports. The 6-foot-5 guard played two seasons of college ball at Brown, averaging 12.2 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game in 54 games (all starts). He posted a 46% field-goal percentage this season, totaling 14.9 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per contest in his best collegiate season. He previously played for Loyola Chicago from 2019-21 before going to Brown.
The Panthers have reached out to UNC transfer guards Puff Johnson (Moon Township native) and Dontrez Styles since entering the transfer portal.
NC State Guard Terquavion Smith Enters 2023 NBA Draft
North Carolina State is losing one of its most productive offensive threats to the next level. Sophomore guard Terquavion Smith will forgo his remaining college eligibility and enter his name in the 2023 NBA Draft. The 2021-22 All-ACC Rookie Team member from Greenville, North Carolina started 59 of 66 total games played for the Wolfpack in two seasons. He averaged 17.9 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 4.1 assists this season, playing over 33 minutes and shooting 38% from the floor. Smith is a projected first-round pick as the No. 30 prospect in the ESPN Top 100.
Smith started all 34 games for the Wolfpack, who made the NCAA Tournament as a No. 11 seed. He totaled 15 points on 5-of-13 shooting against Pitt in the ACC opener on Dec. 2. He scored 32 points in the first round of March Madness against Creighton, who nearly reached the Final Four after losing to San Diego State in the final seconds of the Elite 8.
Boston College Forward T.J. Bickerstaff Enters Portal
Following two seasons at Boston College, forward T.J. Bickerstaff has decided to play elsewhere to close his college career. Bickerstaff started 20 games for Drexel during the 2020-21 campaign before transferring to BC. The 6-foot-9 senior averaged 5.8 points and 6.3 rebounds in over 21 minutes per game spanning 60 games.
Bickerstaff’s offensive production dipped this season, dropping from 6.6 to 5.2 points per game, despite shooting 47.6% from the floor. His playing time decreased as a result in 33 total games (21 starts). He scored two points in 11 minutes against the Panthers at the Petersen Events Center on Feb. 14.
They should nickname him The Terq.