The wait is over. NC State women’s basketball is officially back on the floor.
Monday morning the Wolfpack stepped into Reynolds Coliseum for the first official practice of the 2026-27 season, and you could feel the energy from the first whistle. After a summer of lifting, running, and getting to know each other, the real work started today. Balls bouncing, sneakers squeaking, coaches yelling. The good kind of chaos is back.
Khamil Pierre didn’t try to play it cool. “First Day of Official Practice!!!! So exciteddddd!!!!!!” she posted. Maddie Cox, heading into her last first day with the program, kept it light: “Last first day of Wessy’s daycare!! Love yall Wolfpack Nation.” That’s the vibe. They’re happy to be here and ready to work.
Wes Moore’s group walked in with a mix of hungry veterans and new pieces ready to prove themselves. Zoe Brooks and Khamil Pierre are the veterans everyone will look to. Maddie Cox and Qadence Samuels give them even more experience. Adelaide Jernigan and Ky’She Lunan are ready to make their sophomore jumps. Then you’ve got the new faces, transfers like Khady Leye and Desiree Wooten plus a group of freshmen who just got their first real taste of Pack basketball.
Moore liked what he had seen heading into Monday. “I like our energy, and I think summer and then preseason so far here at the start of school is going really well,” he said. “We’re relatively healthy now, and I feel like we’re in a good spot as far as our culture, meshing together and coming together as a team.” Today they got to prove it on the floor.
Brooks is moving well after last year’s foot injury and has already started contact work. Pierre is being managed like the veteran she is. Those two setting the tone instead of just following it? That’s a different team.
Last season they finished 21-11, fourth in the ACC, and made another NCAA Tournament. This group isn’t here to politely tap on the door. They’re here to kick it in.
Exhibition games start October 8 against High Point. The regular season opener is November 2 versus Wofford. Then it’s Kentucky in Charlotte and a trip to Chapel Hill to open ACC play. But none of that matters yet.
Right now it’s just Day 1.
The Pack is sweating. The gym is loud. The season is officially underway.
Let’s run it. 🐺🏀
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