Paul McNeil Jr. Breaks Records, Lifts NC State in Statement Win Over Texas Southern
RALEIGH, N.C. - Every now and then, a player has a night that feels like more than just a stat line. For NC State sophomore Paul McNeil Jr., Thursday night was exactly that - a breakout performance that put his name in the school record books and reminded everyone why the Wolfpack believe he can be a star.
McNeil lit up the scoreboard for 47 points and 10 rebounds in NC State’s 108-72 win over Texas Southern, setting a new program record with 11 made three-pointers. It wasn’t just a hot hand - it was a full-on shooting clinic. And it came at a time when McNeil needed it most.
Over his last five games, McNeil had been in a slump, shooting just 8-for-40 from the field. But against Texas Southern, he came out firing and never cooled off. He dropped 26 points in the first 13 minutes of game time - nearly eclipsing his career high before halftime.
“Obviously, Paul was phenomenal,” said head coach Will Wade. “But more than that, he got us going early. He gave us a cushion, and we were able to build from there.”
This wasn’t just a one-night explosion. It was the product of relentless work behind the scenes.
Wade shared a telling story from earlier in the week - after a team meal, while the rest of the squad went home, McNeil stayed in the gym for an extra 45-minute shooting session. Just him, assistant JoJo Anderson, and Wade.
“You get what you earn,” Wade said. “You get what you deserve.
You get what you work on. I’m proud of Paul.”
That kind of commitment isn’t new for McNeil. Wade recalled a preseason scrimmage against South Carolina where McNeil hit a buzzer-beater to win the game - then skipped a team trip to a concert to stay in the gym and get more shots up. That kind of mindset is starting to pay off in a big way.
McNeil, for his part, stayed grounded even in the aftermath of a historic night.
“When I had like 20 points, I was like, ‘That’s crazy,’” McNeil said. “But I didn’t want to think about it too much.
Once you start thinking, your mind drifts from the game. I just kept telling myself: keep playing, keep shooting.
Whatever happens, happens.”
As for breaking the school’s single-game three-point record, McNeil embraced the moment - but with perspective.
“It’s really cool,” he said. “Rodney Monroe had the record before - he’s a great shooter and a great player.
But records are meant to be broken. I feel like someone’s going to break mine one day, too.
I’m just blessed to be in this position.”
For McNeil, a North Carolina native from Richmond County, the moment carried even more weight.
“Being from North Carolina, I’ve been through a lot of ups and downs,” he said. “It’s hard to get to this position. I’m truly blessed for the opportunity.”
NC State now sits at 8-4 on the season, and while Texas Southern wasn’t the toughest opponent on the schedule, McNeil’s performance couldn’t have come at a better time. The Wolfpack are about to enter a stretch of games against Power Four opponents, starting with a 7-4 Ole Miss team on Sunday.
The Rebels rank 185th nationally in three-point defense, allowing opponents to shoot 33.6% from deep - not exactly the kind of stat you want to carry into a game against a red-hot shooter. And for McNeil, there’s already some good mojo in that building. It’s the same gym where he hit a game-winning three in an exhibition just a few weeks ago.
Still, McNeil isn’t letting the moment linger.
“Next-day, next-game mentality,” he said. “This happened, but tomorrow the sun’s going to rise.
This will be in the past. We move on to Ole Miss and focus on that.
It’s quick memory loss - however you want to call it.”
If Thursday night was a glimpse of what’s to come, the Wolfpack just found their spark - and maybe their star.