Raleigh, NC – After scoring 9 points on 4-6 shooting in NC State’s decisive 91-54 victory over SMU on January 11, 2026, freshman guard Adelaide Jernigan offered insights into her ongoing adjustment to collegiate basketball, her renowned scoring ability, and her commitment to making an impact on both ends of the floor.
Jernigan, a highly touted recruit with a stellar high school career, has been steadily finding her footing with the Wolfpack. During the SMU post-game interview (2:29:57 mark) with Ernie Myers and Andrew Sanders of the Wolfpack Sports Network, Jernigan shared her thoughts:
When asked about her readiness to contribute, particularly in a game where the team showed such dominance, Jernigan acknowledged the significant leap from high school to the ACC.
“I think it has taken a little bit of time to make the adjustment, I cannot lie, as a freshman, the speed of the game, and learning everything, especially the defensive end, and once I had kind of settle down and gained my confidence, he (Coach Moore) knows I can score, so I just have to go out there and show him and show the team so that he can have that confidence in me.”
Her high school resume, which includes an astounding 2,528 career points and multiple state championships, certainly speaks to her offensive talent. When prompted about her scoring ability and the transition from being a primary scorer to finding her niche in a deep collegiate roster, Jernigan emphasized the importance of practice and consistency.
“Really, I think its the competence in practice. I have to show him (Moore) that I can go out there and do that, guard the ball, knock down threes. We have been struggling with our 3 point shooting, so I am trying to show him in practice that I am going to show up and be ready and knock down these threes. So like I said, he can have that confidence in me, but it starts with practice.”
Beyond her scoring potential, Jernigan also highlighted her dedication to the defensive end, recalling a recent challenge from Coach Moore during the team’s game against Clemson (a 65-75 loss on January 8th). This anecdote provides a clear picture of her competitive spirit and willingness to embrace coaching.
“I knew I had to go in there and stop the ball from going to the basket. #14 (Rachael Rose) kept driving to the basket and he said if #14 drives on you, you are coming out. I’m like, I am not letting her score on me. So I took away her left. My job was to go in there and play good defense and not let her score and I thought I did good with that.”
Adelaide Jernigan’s comments reveal a focused and determined freshman who is not shying away from the challenges of collegiate basketball. Her commitment to improving on both ends of the court, coupled with her natural talent, positions her as a promising prospect for the NC State Wolfpack as she continues to develop and gain confidence within the team’s system. With each practice and every minute on the floor, Jernigan is working to prove her readiness and build the trust necessary to become a significant contributor for the Pack.
Photo Courtesy of @PackWomensBball
PackWBB.com 
Leave a comment