Quadir Copeland’s Week of Brilliance Puts NC State on the Map
If you’re looking for a player who flat-out took over college basketball last week, look no further than NC State’s Quadir Copeland. The senior guard didn’t just have a good week-he had the kind of week that gets remembered, the kind that earns you hardware and headlines. And that’s exactly what happened.
Copeland was named the USBWA Oscar Robertson National Player of the Week, and also finished as the runner-up for the AP National Player of the Week. On top of that, he brought home ACC Player of the Week honors, becoming the second Wolfpack player this season to snag that title, joining freshman standout Paul McNeil Jr.
That’s two national honors in one season for NC State players under first-year head coach Will Wade. Not bad for a program looking to reestablish itself in the ACC hierarchy.
Numbers That Tell the Story
Let’s break it down, because the stats from Copeland’s week tell a story of dominance, poise, and elite-level playmaking.
In NC State’s wins over SMU and Virginia Tech, Copeland averaged:
- 14.0 points
- 13.0 assists
- 6.5 rebounds
- 3.0 steals
Those are well-rounded numbers by any standard, but it’s what he did in each game specifically that really jumps off the page.
At SMU: A Masterclass in Control
On the road at SMU, in a tight 84-83 win, Copeland delivered what can only be described as a point guard clinic. He dropped a career-high 16 assists without committing a single turnover. That’s right-16 dimes, zero giveaways.
That stat line isn’t just rare-it’s historic:
- Tied for fourth-most assists in a game in NC State history.
- Set the program record for most assists in a game without a turnover.
- Became the first Division I player since 2019 to notch 16 assists and zero turnovers.
- First ACC player since 1997 to do it.
Add in a season-high 10 rebounds, and you’ve got a game that would make any coach smile. Doing it in a Quad 1 road win against a ranked opponent? That’s the stuff of legends.
Against Virginia Tech: No Letdown, Just More Production
If anyone thought that performance was a one-off, Copeland had other ideas.
Back home against Virginia Tech, he followed it up with 21 points (his season-high against an ACC opponent), 10 assists, and five steals, tying his career-best in that category. That’s a full stat sheet, and more importantly, another win for the Wolfpack-this time by a solid 82-73 margin.
It’s one thing to put up big numbers. It’s another to do it efficiently, in meaningful games, and in back-to-back performances. Copeland checked every box.
A Leader Emerging in Raleigh
In a season where NC State has been trying to build momentum under a new regime, Copeland’s emergence as a steady, high-impact veteran presence is huge. He’s not just producing-he’s elevating the team around him. His ability to control pace, distribute with precision, and contribute on both ends of the floor makes him the kind of guard you can build a game plan around.
And the recognition he’s received isn’t just a personal accolade-it’s a reflection of where NC State is trending. With multiple players earning national honors and the team knocking off quality opponents, the Wolfpack are starting to look like a program with real bite again.
Copeland’s week was one for the books. And if he keeps playing like this, it might just be the start of something even bigger in Raleigh.