PackWBB.com

RALEIGH — Khamil Pierre checked in at No. 11 on ESPN’s 2025–26 midseason women’s rankings, which is about the nicest shrug you can get from a national outlet. After getting iced out of ESPN’s 10-player Mid-Season All-American Team, they tossed her a consolation #11 like, “Here, have this — you were close.” How kind.

Charlie Creme tried to be earnest: “Few players can start a fast break with a defensive rebound and just as effectively finish at the rim at the other end of the floor like Pierre. In an inconsistent first half of the season for the Wolfpack, Pierre has been steady. She has scored in double figures in all but two games and leads NC State in scoring. Her average points per game is down from last season at Vanderbilt (20.4 PPG), but her shooting efficiency is up and she’s even more dominant on the boards, leading the ACC in rebounding.” Sure, Charlie — and let’s remember she doesn’t have to hunt for 20 every night now with better pieces around her.

The stats do the talking: 15.2 points, a nation-leading 11.9 rebounds, and 52.9% shooting. After leaving Vanderbilt, she traded volume-scoring for smarter efficiency and rebounding that belongs in a dumpster fire of lesser teams — the gritty stuff that actually wins games. She grabs a board, starts the break, and more often than not finishes it herself. But hey, rebounds don’t sparkle like SEC name recognition — which is why the “greatest” conference ever managed to stuff the list with 13 players.

Shout-out to Hannah Hidalgo — the only other ACC rep at #7 — helping to carry the conference’s dignity.

If Pierre keeps crashing the glass and finishing at the rim, NC State’s ACC outlook and tournament chances suddenly look a whole lot brighter. Wait a minute, we had that before ESPN and their mid-season list. Simple as that.