Kansas State University Athletics
2021-22 Men's Basketball Roster
Pack, Nijel
Jersey Number 24
Nijel Pack
- Position:
- Guard
- Ht./Wt.:
- 6-0 / 180
- Class:
- Sophomore
- Hometown:
- Indianapolis, Ind.
- High School:
- Lawrence Central
Bio
Honors
- 2022 Big 12 Most Improved Player
- 2022 All-Big 12 First Team
- 2022 USBWA All-District VI
- 2022 NABC All-District 8 First Team
- Phillips 66 Big 12 Player of the Week (1/24/22)
- Phillips 66 Big 12 Player of the Week (2/7/22)
- 2021 Academic All-Big 12 Rookie Team
- Fall 2020 Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll
- Spring 2021 Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll
- 2022 Rolando Blackman Most Valuable Player
- 2022 Ed Nealy Most Improved Player Award
- 2021, 2022 Tex Winter Top Offensive Player Award
- 2021 Mitch Richmond Mr. Basketball Award
Career
- Opted to transfer to Miami (Fla.) in April 2022.
- Saw action in 53 games with 52 starts at K-State (2020-22).
- Led the Wildcats in scoring as both a true freshman (12.7 ppg/2020-21) and sophomore (17.4 ppg/2021-22)… One of just 32 players in school history to eclipse 500 points in a single season and the first since Dean Wade in 2017-18.
- Became just the sixth Wildcat in the Big 12 era and the first sophomore to earn All-Big 12 First Team honors by the league coaches in 2021-22 and the first overall since 2018-19.
- Became the first Wildcat to be named the Big 12’s Most Improved Player in 2021-22, which was started by the conference in 2019-20.
- Considered among the best 3-pointers shooters in school history, connecting on 155 made treys on 366 attempts and averaging 2.9 makes per game in his 2-year career… His 155 career 3-point field goals made are 10th-most in school history, while he ranks third on the career list with a 42.3 3-point field goal percentage… His 95 makes in 2021-22 are the most-ever by a Wildcat sophomore and place third on the school’s single-season list, while his 218 attempts and 43.6 percentage are fifth and eighth, respectively, for a single season.
- His career-high of 8 made 3-point fields, which he did twice in his career, first as a freshman in 2020-21 and once again as a sophomore in 2021-22, tie for the second-most by a Wildcat in any game in school history… His 8 vs. Texas A&M (1/30/21) are the most-ever by a freshman, while his 8 vs. No. 7/7 Kansas (1/22/22) tie for the most by a Wildcat in a conference game.
- Connected on at least one made 3-point field goal in a school-record 34 consecutive games, which broke Steve Henson’s mark of 25 set from Jan. 6, 1989, to Dec. 2, 1989.
- One of just three true freshmen in school history to lead the team in scoring in 2020-21, joining Michael Beasley in 2007-08 and Marcus Foster in 2013-14… Also led the team in scoring (11.6 ppg.) in Big 12 play, which was also accomplished by Beasley (2007-08) and Foster (2013-14).
- Finished his rookie campaign in 2020-21 ranking in the top-10 in 9 freshman categories in school history, including second in 3-point field goals made (60), third in 3-point field goal percentage (40.5), fifth in assists (91), ninth in total points (305) and 10th in games started (24), minutes played (806), field goals made (109) and attempted (261) and steals (28).
- Was one of just three true freshmen in 2020-21 to rank in the Big 12’s Top 20 in scoring, joining Cade Cunningham (Oklahoma State) and Mike Miles (TCU).
As A Sophomore (2021-22)
- Selected to the All-Big 12 First Team as well Most Improved Player by the league coaches… Just the sixth Wildcat in the Big 12 era to earn First Team honors and the first since Barry Brown, Jr., and Dean Wade both made the First Team in 2018-19… First Wildcat to be named the conference’s Most Improved Player, which started in 2019-20.
- Named NABC First Team All-District 8 and USBWA All-District VI.
- Twice earned Phillips 66 Big 12 Player of the Week honors, including sharing the accolade on Jan. 24, 2022, after a 35-point performance against No. 7/7 Kansas (1/22/22) and winning it outright on Feb. 7 after posting consecutive 20-point performances in wins over Oklahoma State (2/2/22) and at TCU (2/5/22)… Just the eighth Wildcat to earn the weekly Player of the Week honor at least twice in the same season and the first since Nino Williams in 2014-15.
- Saw action in 29 of 31 games played, including 28 starts… Missed the game with Wichita State (12/5/21) and Marquette (12/8/21) due to a concussion.
- Logged 958 minutes, averaging a team-best 33.0 per game… Ranked eighth in the Big 12 in minutes played… Played 30 or more minutes in 22 of 29 games, including a season and career-best 42 minutes at Oklahoma State (2/19/22).
- Averaged a team-best 17.4 points on 45.5 percent shooting (175-of-385), including 43.6 percent (95-of-218) from 3-point range, with 3.8 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.3 steals per game… Connected on 84.5 percent (60-of-71) from the free throw line.
- Led the team in nearly every offensive category, including scoring, points (505), double-digit scoring games (28), 30-point games (3), 20-point games (10), field goals made (175) and attempted (385), 3-point field goals made (95) and attempted (218), field goal percentage (45.5), 3-point field goal percentage (43.6) and minutes (33.0)… Also was second in total rebounds (110), defensive rebounds (88), assists (65) and steals (39).
- One of just 32 players in school history to eclipse 500 points (505) in a single season and the first since Dean Wade in 2017-18… The 505 points were the most in a single season since Barry Brown, Jr., scored 590 in 2017-18.
- Ranked fifth nationally in 3-point field goal percentage (43.6), 14th in 3-point field goals/game (3.28) and 29th in total 3-point field goals made (95).
- Led the Big 12 in both 3-point field goals/game (3.28) and 3-point field goal percentage (43.6)… Also ranked among the Big 12’s Top 15 in four other categories, including third in scoring (17.41), fourth in field goal percentage (45.5), eighth in minutes (33.03) and 11th in steals (1.34).
- Scored in double figures in a team-best 28 double-digit scoring games with a three 30-point games and four other games of 20 or more points… Led the team in scoring in 18 games.
- Ended the season by scoring in double figures in the last 22 games, which is the longest such streak by a Wildcat since 2010.
- His three 30-point games were the most by a Wildcat since Rodney McGruder in 2011-12.
- Scored a season and career-best 35 points vs. No. 7/7 Kansas (1/22/22) on 12-of-18 field goals, including 8-of-12 from 3-point range… The 35-point output tied for the seventh-most by a Wildcat in a Big 12 games, while it tied for the fourth-most ever by a sophomore… Sixth Wildcat to score 35 or more points against Kansas and the most since Jacob Pullen in 2011.
- Also posted 30-point games vs. No. 10/10 Baylor (31; 2/9/22) and Iowa State (32; 2/26/22)… Went 10-of-19 from the field, including 4-of-9 from 3-point range, and 7-of-10 from the free throw line for 31 points vs. the Bears… Connected on 11-of-15 from the field, including 6-of-9 from 3-point range, and 4-of-5 from the line for 32 points vs. the Cyclones (2/26/22).
- Scored 20 or more points in four other games, including 21 vs. No. 14/16 (1/4/22), 20 at West Virginia (1/8/22), 22 vs. Oklahoma State (2/2/22) and at TCU (2/5/22).
- Hit his first game-winner with his 3-pointer with 2.2 seconds vs. Oklahoma State (2/2/22) to cap a 22-point performance on 9-of-17 shooting.
- Finished third on the school’s single-season chart with 95 made 3-point field goals, which were the most by a Wildcat since Jacob Pullen tied the school record with 110 in 2009-10… The 218 attempts were the fifth-most, while the 43.6 percentage tied for eighth.
- Connected on at least 4 made 3-point field goals in 11 games, including a season and career-tying 8 vs. No. 7/7 Kansas (1/22/22)… The 8 treys tie for the most-ever by a Wildcat in a conference game and tie for the second-most in any game… Also had 6 triples in 3 other games (at West Virginia (1/8/22); at Ole Miss (1/29/22) and Iowa State (2/26/22).
- Was second on the team with 65 assists… Dished out a season-high 7 assists (on zero turnovers) at Ole Miss (1/29/22), while he had 5 in 3 other games.
- Ranks second on the team in total (110) and defensive (88) rebounds, while was third in average (3.8 rpg.)… Grabbed a season and career-high 8 boards twice, including at Nebraska (12/19/21) and at Oklahoma State (2/19/22).
- Was second on the team in steals (39)… Snagged at least 2 steals in 11 games, including a season and a career-high 4 steals at TCU (2/5/22).
- One of two players (along with senior Mark Smith) to start all 18 Big 12 contests… Averaged a team-best 18.6 points on 45.3 percent shooting (116-of-256), including 43.3 percent (61-of-141) from 3-point range, in Big 12 play with 3.9 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.5 steals in 35.4 minutes per game… Connected on 82.4 percent (42-of-51) from the free throw line.
- Led the team in scoring, total points (335), double-digit scoring games (18), 30-point games (3), 20-point games (7), field goals made (116) and 3-point field goals made (61) in Big 12 play.
- Scored in double figures in all 18 Big 12 games, including three 30-point games and four 20-point games.
- Led the Big 12 in 3-point field goals made (3.39), while he finished second scoring (18.6 ppg.) and 3-point field goal percentage (43.3), fourth in field goal percentage (45.3) and minutes (35.35) and seventh in steals (1.50).
As A Freshman (2020-21)
- Started all 24 games he was healthy, including the first 12… Missed 5 games due to injury, including 4 in a row in Big 12 play.
- Logged more than 800 minutes (806), averaging 33.6 minutes per game… Ranked ninth in the Big 12 in minutes per game (33.6), including second among freshmen… Played 30 or more minutes in 19 of 24 games played, including a season-high 39 in the win over TCU (2/20/21).
- Averaged a team-best 12.7 points on 41.8 percent shooting (109-of-261), including 40.5 percent (60-of-148) from 3-point range, with 3.7 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.2 steals per game… Connected on 79.4 percent (27-of-34) from the free throw line.
- Ranked first or second in most offensive categories, including first in scoring (12.7 ppg.) and 3-point field goals made (60) and second in total points (305), double-digit scoring games (16), field goals made (109) and attempted (261), 3-point field goals attempted (148),
- One of just three true freshmen in school history to lead the team in scoring, joining Michael Beasley in 2007-08 and Foster in 2013-14.
- Finished among the Big 12’s Top 20 in 6 categories, including second in 3-point field goal percentage (40.5), fourth in 3-point field goals made (2.50) and assist/turnover ratio (1.86), ninth in assists (3.79) and minutes per game (33.6) and 20th in scoring (12.7),
- One of just three true freshmen to rank in the Big 12’s Top 20 in scoring, joining Cade Cunningham (Oklahoma State) and Mike Miles (TCU).
- Ranks among the top-10 in 9 freshman categories in school history, including second in 3-point field goals made (60), third in 3-point field goal percentage (40.5), fifth in assists (91), ninth in total points (305) and 10th in games started (24), minutes played (806), field goals made (109) and attempted (261) and steals (28).
- Scored in all 24 games played, including 16 double-digit scoring games and three 20-point contests… Led the team in scoring in 11 games, including 5 times in Big 12 play… Scored a season-high 26 points vs. Texas A&M (1/30/21) on 9-of-16 field goals, including 8-of-14 from 3-point range… Also posted 20-point games vs. No. 13/13 Texas (22 points; 2/9/21) and vs. TCU (23 points; 3/10/21) in the first round of the Big 12 Championship.
- Ended the season with double-digit scoring games in 10 of his last 12 games played.
- Enjoyed the game of his young career with 26 points vs. Texas A&M (1/30/21), knocking down 8 3-point field goals, which are the most-ever by a Wildcat freshman… Only Askia Jones with 14 in 1994 has had more 3-pointers in a game in school history.
- His team-leading 60 3-pointers were the second-most ever by a Wildcat freshman and the most since Marcus Foster set the record with 79 in 2013-14… Ranked second in the Big 12 in 3-point field goal percentage (40.5) and fourth in 3-point field goals made (2.50)… Had at least 3 triples in 11 games, including a career-best 8 vs. Texas A&M (1/30/21).
- Ranked second on the team with 91 assists with 49 turnovers… Ranked fourth in the Big 12 in assist/turnover ratio (1.86) and ninth in assists (3.79)… Dished out 5 or more assists in 12 games, including season-high 9 in the win over No. 7/8 Oklahoma (2/23/21)… The 9 assists vs. the Sooners ties for the third-most assists by a freshman in school history and the most since Clent Stewart also had 9 vs. Nebraska (3/5/05)… Led the team in assists in 12 games.
- Ranked fifth on the team in rebounding (3.7 rpg.) and defensive rebounds (74), while was sixth in total rebounds (88)… Collected at least 5 rebounds in 11 games, including a season-high 7 vs. No. 13/11 Texas Tech (2/6/21).
- Was third in steals with 28, which ties for the 10th-most by a freshman in school history… Had at least 2 steals in 9 games, including a season-high 3 in the win at Iowa State (12/15/20) and vs. Texas A&M (1/30/21)… Led the team in steals in 7 games.
- Started all 13 Big 12 contests he was healthy… Missed 5 games due to injury… Averaged a team-best 11.6 points on 36.7 percent shooting (54-of-147), including 29.5 percent shooting (23-of-78) from 3-point range, with 3.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.2 steals in 34.4 minutes per game… Connected on 90.9 percent (20-of-22) from the free throw line.
- Led the team in scoring (11.6 ppg.) and minutes per game (34.4) in Big 12 play, while was second in 3-point field goals made (23), assists (47) and steals (15) and third in field goals made (54).
- Scored in double figures 9 times in 13 Big 12 games, including a conference game-high 22 vs. No. 13/13 Texas (2/9/21)… Also had 23 points in the win over TCU (3/10/21) in the first round of the Big 12 Championship.
High School
- A consensus Top 150 prospect by several recruiting services, including No. 84 by ESPN, No. 105 by 247Sports.com and No. 124 by Rivals.com… Also rated among the Top 30 point guards in the country, including No. 21 by 247Sports.com and ESPN and No. 28 by Rivals.com… Rated as the No. 2 prospect in Indiana by ESPN and No. 4 by 247Sports.com.
- A four-year letterman at Lawrence Central High School in Indianapolis, Ind., where he led the Bears to a 70-26 (.729) record in his prep career, which included a 44-7 (.863) mark the last two seasons, and a sectional championship in 2018-19.
- Helped Lawrence Central to a 22-3 overall record and a No. 3 final ranking as a senior in 2019-10… The Bears lost to archrival Lawrence North, 68-57, in the IHSAAA Sectional 10 Class 4A playoffs on March 4… All 3 of the team’s losses came to Lawrence North, which advanced all the way to the Regional Championship round before the rest of the playoffs were canceled due to COVID-19.
- Earned several honors as a senior in 2019-20, including Indiana Basketball Coaches Association (IBCA)/Subway Senior All-State Supreme 15, All-USA Central Indiana Super Team and Indiana All-Star accolades from the Indianapolis Star.
- One of 6 core players selected to the Indianapolis Star’s 2019 Indiana Junior All-Star Team… A member of the Supreme 15 of the IBCA/Subway Underclass All-State team in 2018-19.
- Twice named First Team All-MIC Conference and First Team All-Marion County.
- Scored more than 1,000 points in his prep career on 50.7 percent shooting (388-of-765), including 42.9 percent (149-of-347) from 3-point range, and 86 percent (160-of-186) from the free throw line… Totaled 820 (17.1 ppg.) of his 1,085 career points and 199 (4.1 apg.) of his 266 career assists and boasted a 2.55 assist/turnover ratio as a junior and senior.
- Averaged 17.7 points on 49.7 percent shooting (147-of-296), including 40.3 percent (50-of-124) from 3-point range, with 4.2 assists, 4.0 rebounds and 2.0 steals per game as a senior in 2019-20… Connected on 56.4 percent (97-of-172) from inside the 3-point arc, while he hit on 92.8 percent (64-of-69) from the free throw line… Paced the team in 3-point field goals made and attempted, free throw percentage, assists and steals.
- Scored in double figures all 23 games, including 8 games of 20 or more points, as a senior… Posted a game-high 24 points on 3 occasions, including against Ben Davis (12/26/19) on 9-of-13 field goals, vs. Brebeuf Jesuit Prep (1/14/20) on 9-of-20 field goals and vs. North Central (2/6/20) on 6-of-15 field goals.
- Connected on at least three 3-pointers in 10 games as a senior, including a season-high 6 triples against in a loss to Lawrence North (12/11/18).
- Dished out better than 5 assists in 10 games as a senior, including a season-best 8 vs. Victory College Prep (12/2/19), Hamilton Southeastern (1/10/20) and Anderson (2/1/20).
- Was perfect from the free throw line in 14 games as a senior, including an impressive 11-of-11 effort in a narrow win over North Central (2/6/20).
- Averaged 16.5 points on 52.4 percent (152-of-290) shooting, including 43.2 percent (58-of-134) from 3-point range, to go with 4.1 assists, 4.0 rebounds and 2.0 steals per game as a junior in 2018-19… Helped Lawrence Central to a 22-4 overall record, including a 6-3 mark in league play, and a trip to the regional semifinals of the IHSAAA Class 4A State Tournament… Connected on 83.3 percent (50-of-60) from the line… Posted a 2.4 assist/turnover ratio (103/43).
- Scored in double figures in all 26 games, including five 20-point games, as a junior… Scored a season-high 26 points against Noblesville (12/29/18) on 8-of-15 shooting… Dished out a season-high 9 assists against Fishers (11/20/18).
- Coached by Albert Gooden.
Personal
- Nijel Christian Pack was born May 22, 2001 in Oconomowoc, Wis. … Parents are David and Robin Pack… Has two siblings (Ben and Anjelica).
- Played for the Indy Heat and head coach Jason Delaney on the Nike EYBL tour during the summer of 2019… Named to the Nike All-EYBL Breakout Team after his performance at the Peach Jam… Averaged 20.8 points, 8.2 assists, 6.2 rebounds and 2.3 steals per game in 6 games at the Peach Jam, which included an 18-point, 10-rebound, 10-assist triple-double… Also recorded two games of 25 points and another of 22 points… For the summer, he averaged 18 points on 40.9 percent shooting to go with 4.5 assists, 4.1 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game.
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