The senior forward has that edge about her right now. After a strong junior year that put her on the map, All-ACC First Team, AP All-America Honorable Mention, WBCA finalist, Katrina McClain finalist, and those 16.7 points and ACC-leading 11.9 rebounds, she’s carrying it into her last college season with a clear purpose. Early non-conference wins over Wofford and Campbell already had her averaging right around 18 points and 11 boards while stacking double-doubles and steals. Then came the real statement game.

Against No. 14 Kentucky in the Ally Tip-Off, Pierre went off for a career-high 34 points (18 of them in the first quarter alone) in the Wolfpack’s 93-78 loss. She bettered Kentucky’s star center Clara Strack, who finished with 24. Strack is a 6’5″ problem: Lisa Leslie Center of the Year watch-list talent, elite shot-blocker, and one of the most complete bigs in the country. Pierre, listed at 6’2″, didn’t back down for a second. She attacked, finished through contact, and helped NC State outscore the Wildcats in the paint 34-20. She was the best player on the floor Sunday, regardless of the final score.

That kind of performance is exactly what she’s chasing. Pierre has said her goal is simple: be the best player on the court. You can see it in how she approaches these matchups: aggressive, physical, and unapologetic. The early double-doubles, the way she dominated the paint against a ranked SEC team’s frontcourt, and the determination to pull the rest of the Pack with her all point to a senior year with real draft stock on the line. Early mocks already had her as a first-rounder (ESPN linked her to the Indiana Fever around the top 10 as a relentless rebounder who can help next to Caitlin Clark). A few more nights like the one in Charlotte and top-5 talk becomes very real.

She’s already on the preseason All-ACC team and the watch lists for the Katrina McClain Power Forward of the Year and Jersey Mike’s Naismith Trophy. Last year she put up 22 double-doubles and set the program’s single-season rebounding bar high. This year the motor looks even higher. For Wolfpack fans, it’s exciting. Pierre isn’t just trying to have a solid senior season. She’s playing like she wants to leave no doubt about where she belongs next April.

Go Pack.