RALEIGH — If someone had told Dontrez Styles he would be rocking a No. 3 UNC basketball jersey in 2021 and a No. 3 N.C. State basketball jersey in 2024, he would’ve laughed like he did during the Wolfpack’s preseason media day.
“At the time, because I was at Carolina, I would’ve been like, ‘That’s crazy,’ ” Styles said.
“But it’s not too bad. This was probably my second option out of high school. I’ve known (Kevin) Keatts for a long time, so just being here now, it’s great. I’m enjoying the journey so far.”
Seated inside the Dail Basketball Center in red and white threads, Styles reflected on a journey that took him from Kinston to Chapel Hill to Georgetown in Washington, D.C., and then to Raleigh.
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Believed to be the first player in college basketball history to go from UNC to N.C. State, Styles is set to become the fourth player to suit up for both programs since the 1940s. Bernie Mock, Fred Swartzberg and Bones McKinney started their careers at N.C. State, but joined the Tar Heels after returning from service in World War II.
Throughout the preseason, N.C. State head coach Kevin Keatts has jokingly reminded media members that Styles’ previous school is Georgetown, as listed on the team website.
“We don’t play Georgetown. He transferred from Georgetown. He’s one school removed, so he shouldn’t be emotional when we play at Carolina,” Keatts said with a smile during the Wolfpack’s preseason media day.
“No, these guys are competitors. No matter how much as coaches we downplay opportunities and playing guys locally … I’d be lying if I told you that emotions will not be involved.”
Why Dontrez Styles left UNC basketball, ultimately joined N.C. State
As a Kinston High School basketball player, Styles felt the pull to Chapel Hill. When he joined the Tar Heels ahead of the 2021-22 season, he was following a path paved by Jerry Stackhouse and Reggie Bullock.
In his first season at UNC, Styles got to experience the thrill of a Final Four run as the Tar Heels advanced to the national championship game. Sidelined for much of that season, Styles had a moment to remember in the 2022 NCAA Tournament.
With a spot in the Sweet 16 on the line against top-seeded Baylor in overtime, Styles played the duration of the extra period and hit arguably the biggest shot of the game when he drained a corner 3-pointer to give UNC the lead. The Tar Heels wouldn’t trail again as Styles played a season-high 25 minutes.
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But that was the highlight of his time in Chapel Hill. Across two seasons, Styles averaged nearly 6 minutes across 35 games.
“Just not playing,” Styles said, was the main reason he entered the transfer portal.
“I’m a competitor, I wanna play,” he said. “Where I’m from, guys go to UNC or Duke. It was kind of tough not playing at first, but I just kept working. I said you always prevail if you just keep working and keep God first.”
Initially, Styles considered immediately making the move from UNC to N.C. State. Keatts had been recruiting Styles going back to the wing’s sophomore season at Kinston.
“A part of me did, but I also knew I wasn’t very mature at the time, coming straight from Carolina to try and make that jump to go to N.C. State,” Styles said.
“I know who I am as a person and I knew I probably wouldn’t be able to handle the fans and stuff that comes with it. Now, I feel like it’s a great time. I’m an older guy now. I feel like I can deal with it and it’s gonna be great.”
After feeling a “little low” during his time at UNC, Styles experienced “some highs” at Georgetown. The 6-foot-6, 210-pound forward started all 32 games in his one season with the Hoyas, averaging 12.8 points and 5.8 rebounds.
After shooting 25% on 27 shots from long range in two seasons at UNC, Styles made a career-high 36.8% of his 133 three-pointers at Georgetown.
Now, he’s coming to Raleigh to follow in the footsteps of Kinston native Charles Shackleford, who was an All-ACC selection in 1988 with the Wolfpack before playing 10 years in the NBA.
“It’s been an easy transition so far,” Styles said. “Just their style of play, they play very fast. I think I play fast. … I feel like I fit this system very well, that’s why I came here.”
As he embraces a new challenge of trying to help N.C. State win the ACC and make another Final Four run, Styles continues to lean on a particular learning lesson from his unique journey.
“Don’t ever get too high, don’t ever get too low. There’s gonna be lows, there’s gonna be highs,” he said. “I started off at UNC, not the best. But I had a good season at Georgetown. I just stay level-headed and keep working. You’ll prevail one day.”
Staff writer Rodd Baxley can be reached at rbaxley@fayobserver.com or @RoddBaxley on X/Twitter.
This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Why Dontrez Styles left UNC basketball, returned to play for NC State
