From Kinston to UNC, and now to NC State: Dontrez Styles’ evolution comes full circle
Dontrez Styles prepared to leave his third grade classroom at Moss Hill Elementary School, when his teacher approached him. She said he was forgetting something.
“What?”
“You’re forgetting your basketball,” Marenda Everett, the teacher, said.
Styles, 8 years old at the time, very confidently told Everett to keep the ball, because he was going to “make it big” one day. The now-retired teacher had him sign it.
He signed “Dontrez Styles” in permanent marker, his name underneath the LeBron James branding embossed on the black, red and white ball. Styles believed he was going to be successful in basketball. Everett did, too.
Nearly 15 years later, Styles plays as a hybrid forward for N.C. State, his third collegiate basketball program and second in the Triangle. Saturday, he will suit up against North Carolina — where he started his college career — against former teammates. His loved ones, including Everett, will watch with pride as he takes the court again in a special rivalry game.
It’s the kind of moment movies, books and third graders’ hopes and dreams are based on. Except, for Styles, there’s no fiction here.
“‘That’s you. You did it kid,’” Styles said when asked what he’d tell his younger self. “I always told my parents I was gonna play at a high level growing up. It’s finally here, and I finally do. I’ve been blessed to do it for four years now at some great universities. I thank God for that.”
‘I’m a fan of my former players’
Perry Tyndall, head coach at Kinston High School, could have split allegiances. He coached Styles from freshman to senior year, but he also has Tar Heel ties.
Tyndall graduated from UNC and his brother, Webb, played under Dean Smith as a walk-on in the mid-1990s. However, he did not hesitate when asked where his allegiance lies this weekend. Tyndall is a wholehearted supporter of Dontrez Styles.
“I am a fan of my former players. That takes full precedent over anything,” Tyndall said. “Dontrez is my guy, and I hope he absolutely has a wonderful, wonderful game.”
Tyndall spoke highly of the former Kinston standout and said Styles “checked all the boxes” for the characteristics coaches seek in players, bragging on his former player and his parents, Donald Swinson and Sharon Styles.
Styles works hard and prioritizes relationships, caring deeply for those around him. The two still talk every other week, and Tyndall was one of several people who provided a listening ear and advice during the now-senior’s decisions to transfer.
“I’d be willing to drop anything I had going on if he was in a situation where he needed help, just because he’s that type of kid,” Tyndall said.
That’s not new. Everett also saw those characteristics in Styles when he was little — er, younger. He was the tallest child in his class, she recalled, but never used his size or athleticism to make others feel small or unimportant.
He seemed to always pair a strong competitive spirit and passion for the sport with kindness, respect and humility. When she sent him a text message the other day, he responded enthusiastically and still called her Miss Everett.
Those traits are why Tyndall and Everett aren’t surprised to see him play Division I basketball. They saw his natural talent and watched him draw from his dreams to develop into a collegiate athlete.
Meanwhile, Styles credits Tyndall with an assist for setting him up to fulfill his lifelong dream.
“That’s my guy, man,” Styles said Wednesday. “He gave me my first legit chance at basketball. Put me on varsity as a freshman … That’s my dog. I love him to death.”
Styles left high school as a consensus four-star recruit in the class of 2021, ranking in the national top 70 by 247Sports, On3, ESPN and Rivals. He overcame a concussion his senior year — he missed three weeks — to earn Eastern Conference Player of the Year for the second time in his career and averaged 18.6 points per game. As a junior, Styles contributed 19.7 points and 11 rebounds. Styles earned All-State honors in 2020 and 2021.
He committed to North Carolina after his junior season and signed in November 2020.
“Most everyone on our staff felt like he had a very good chance as soon as he got into high school,” Tyndall said. “To where and what level you didn’t know, but as he progressed, you knew he was going to be a big time college basketball player.”
Returning home in a different color
He’s a Georgetown transfer; he’s not a North Carolina transfer.
Georgetown.
At least, that’s what N.C. State head coach Kevin Keatts says every time Styles’ connection to the Tar Heels comes up, making sure to add a sly grin.
But, it’s an undeniable fact that Styles once wore Carolina blue and played in the Dean Dome. He told reporters Wednesday he talks to RJ Davis, Seth Trimble and Jalen Washington and tries to remain connected with the coaching staff. Styles specifically has maintained relationships with Sean May, Brad Frederick and Jeff Lebo.
In his two seasons with the Tar Heels, Styles averaged 5.9 minutes per game, scoring 80 points and 57 rebounds in 45 appearances.
He then transferred to Georgetown and played for the Hoyas last year. Styles started 32 games and averaged 12.8 points and 5.8 rebounds, notching 22 double-digit scoring games, shot 43% from the field and 36.8% from 3.
One of Styles’ biggest moments as a Tar Heel took place in the 2022 NCAA Tournament. Then a freshman, Styles hit a 3-pointer early in the overtime period against Baylor in the second round. His bucket helped jump start UNC’s scoring, leading to a 93-86 win and trip to the Sweet 16. The Heels went on to play Kansas in the national championship game.
Some Carolina fans bristled at the fact he transferred to the Wolfpack, but former UNC big man Armando Bacot’s simple proclamation put others at ease.
“Hit the shot vs Baylor,” Bacot tweeted when the news broke. “He good with me forever.”
N.C. State recruited him out of high school and again when he left UNC. The third time was finally the charm.
Despite being at his third school, Tyndall emphasized Styles’ desire to make the most of every opportunity.
“It was a tough decision for him in that moment, but it was a decision that once you make it, you don’t look back. You keep rolling,” Tyndall said. “When he was at Carolina, I think in his mind, he didn’t go into it thinking he would probably be leaving and end up at Georgetown. That wasn’t part of it. Then, the year at Georgetown, he didn’t go into Georgetown thinking that he would be end up at N.C. State. But I think he’s loved the opportunity he’s had.”
Styles admits it’ll be weird to see his friends and former coaches on the other bench. He called it “not ideal.” True to Tyndall’s assessment, however, he’s also really excited to play at Lenovo Center with his new teammates and new coaches.
“It was a family, but Saturday; it’s time to go to war and I’m ready to go out there and compete,” he said. “It’s gonna be fun. A lot of people can’t experience that; just playing with both sides. I feel like it’s a very unique situation. I can’t wait to go out there and get this job done.”
‘He’s one of ours’
White frosting lined Styles’ mouth as he gave a big grin for the camera in December 2010 while his third-grade class made gingerbread houses ahead of the holidays. It’s the same grin fans see when he or a teammate does something well during a game.
Everett, his teacher at the time, isn’t a big sports fan but has followed Styles’ career from middle school and high school to Chapel Hill, Washington, D.C., and now Raleigh. He’s her only former student to play in college, that she’s aware of.
“We’re Kinston people,” Everett said. “I watched him the whole time and just enjoyed watching him on the court. He’s one of ours, but he’s also so talented, and he’s kind and genuine.”
It’s been a joy to see him improve as a player. Styles averages 9.6 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game. He ranks No. 3 on the team for total points (144) and offensive rebounds (19), while coming in at No. 2 for rebounds (67) and blocks (15).
“He’s a little bit of everything,” Tyndall said. “I still think he’s super underrated with his ability to play with pace. He’s got good court vision. He’s freakishly athletic, which allows him to be active on the boards. He’s got great elevation on his shot. It’s really hard to defend. He can shoot the basketball too. He’s got the ability to score at all three levels … and he’s grown so much as a defender, even watching him in college, he’s improved a lot in that regard.”
Seeing Styles grow into a productive member of society and achieve his goals is why Everett, now retired, taught for nearly three decades. She didn’t do it for the pay or the recognition. She did it to see her students go from hanging off the jungle gym in a brown puffy coat at recess to hanging off rims.
“I’m just so proud of him for following his dreams,” Everett said. “He switched schools that could not have been easy on him, but he’s stuck with it. He’s persevered and kept his eye on his goal. I feel like he’s done exactly what he said he was gonna do.”
Everett hopes a group of former teachers can attend a game this season. They don’t care about the matchup or anything. They want to watch Styles play in person — like he promised them he’d do.
Everett also still has the basketball; it’s been stored in her closet all this time, his third-grade autograph preserved. She plans to bring it on her trip to Raleigh, hoping to return it. The little boy who wanted to make it big finally did, and his teacher thinks it’s about time he gets his ball back.
This story was originally published January 10, 2025 at 6:00 AM.
