Nijel Christian Pack (born May 22, 2001) is an American college basketball player for the Miami Hurricanes of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). He previously played for the Kansas State Wildcats.

Nijel Pack
No. 24 – Miami Hurricanes
PositionPoint guard
LeagueAtlantic Coast Conference
Personal information
Born (2001-05-22) May 22, 2001 (age 23)
Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, U.S.
Listed height6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Listed weight184 lb (83 kg)
Career information
High schoolLawrence Central
(Indianapolis, Indiana)
College
Career highlights and awards

High school career

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Pack played basketball for Lawrence Central High School in Indianapolis, Indiana. As a junior, he averaged 16.5 points and 4.1 assists, leading his team to a 22–4 record and a Class 4A sectional title.[1] In his senior season, Pack averaged 17.7 points, 4.2 assists and four rebounds per game, and helped his team achieve a 22–3 record.[2][3] He competed for the Indy Heat at the Nike Elite Youth Basketball League.[4] He committed to playing college basketball for Kansas State over offers from Butler, Loyola (Illinois) and Nevada, among others.[5]

College career

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On January 30, 2021, Pack posted a freshman season-high 26 points, five assists and three steals in a 68–61 loss to Texas A&M.[6] He shot 8-of-14 from the three-point line, setting the program single-game record for three-pointers made by a freshman.[7] Pack missed four games due to COVID-19 protocol and a fifth game because of an eye infection. As a freshman, Pack averaged 12.7 points, 3.8 assists and 3.7 rebounds per game.[8] On January 22, 2022, he scored a career-high 35 points in a 78–75 loss against Kansas.[9] He was named to the First Team All-Big 12 as a sophomore as well as Most Improved Player.[10] Pack averaged 17.4 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game. Following the season, he declared for the 2022 NBA draft and entered the transfer portal.[11]

On April 23, 2022, Pack transferred to Miami (FL).[12] He averaged 13.6 points, 2.7 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game as a junior. Pack declared for the 2023 NBA draft but opted to return to Miami.[13] Pack averaged 13.3 points and 3.6 assists per game as a senior.[14]

Career statistics

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Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field goal percentage  3P%  3-point field goal percentage  FT%  Free throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game  Bold  Career high

College

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Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2020–21 Kansas State 24 24 33.5 .418 .405 .794 3.7 3.8 1.2 .0 12.7
2021–22 Kansas State 29 28 33.1 .455 .436 .845 3.8 2.2 1.3 .1 17.4
Career 53 52 33.3 .440 .423 .829 3.7 2.9 1.3 .1 15.3

References

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  1. ^ Neddenriep, Kyle (June 12, 2019). "Lawrence Central's Nijel Pack: Kansas State is 'the full package'". The Indianapolis Star. Retrieved October 1, 2021.
  2. ^ Gates, Riley (March 19, 2020). "Nijel Pack makes compelling case for Indiana's Mr. Basketball". 247Sports. Retrieved October 1, 2021.
  3. ^ Green, Arne (November 13, 2020). "Pack on point for Wildcats". The Salina Journal. Retrieved October 1, 2021.
  4. ^ Neddenriep, Kyle (May 9, 2019). "Inseparable Lawrence Central duo taking different paths to college decisions". The Indianapolis Star. Retrieved October 1, 2021.
  5. ^ Robinett, Kellis (June 12, 2019). "Indianapolis point guard Nijel Pack is K-State's first 2020 basketball pledge". The Wichita Eagle. Retrieved October 1, 2021.
  6. ^ Sunner, Marshall (January 31, 2021). "'He's a special young player': Why Nijel Pack is poised to be K-State hoops' next big star". Kansas State Collegian. Retrieved October 1, 2021.
  7. ^ Robinett, Kellis (January 30, 2021). "Despite big game from Nijel Pack, K-State falls to Texas A&M in Big 12/SEC Challenge". The Wichita Eagle. Retrieved October 1, 2021.
  8. ^ Bradley, Cameron (March 12, 2021). "Analysis: While the 2020-21 season was challenging, the future still looks bright for men's basketball". Kansas State Collegian. Retrieved October 1, 2021.
  9. ^ "Agbaji's late jumper lifts No. 7 Kansas over K-State 78-75". ESPN. Associated Press. January 22, 2022. Retrieved April 29, 2022.
  10. ^ Green, Arne (March 8, 2022). "Kansas State's Nijel Pack adds AP first-team All-Big 12 honor to collection". The Topeka Capital-Journal. Retrieved March 10, 2022.
  11. ^ Postins, Matthew (March 22, 2022). "Kansas State's Nijel Pack Declares for 2022 NBA Draft". Heartland College Sports. Retrieved March 24, 2022.
  12. ^ Givony, Jonathan; Borzello, Jeff (April 23, 2022). "Former Kansas State guard Nijel Pack transferring to Miami". Retrieved April 23, 2022.
  13. ^ Lictenstein, Adam (May 19, 2023). "UM standouts Norchad Omier, Nijel Pack withdraw from NBA draft, will return to Hurricanes". South Florida Sun Sentinel. Retrieved March 16, 2024.
  14. ^ Stock, Christopher (March 13, 2024). "Roster for 2024-25 has plenty of uncertainties heading into offseason". 247 Sports. Retrieved March 16, 2024.
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