What NC State’s game against Syracuse meant to Quadir Copeland
One season ago, Will Wade sent Quadir Copeland home to Philadelphia. The two were at McNeese State and Wade effectively kicked the guard off his team for 10 days.
Copeland didn’t know whether he would return to Lake Charles. He’d transferred to McNeese after two seasons at Syracuse.
A season later, after following his coach to N.C. State, Copeland is one of the team’s leaders and more mature.
He got to prove that on Tuesday night. N.C. State hosted Syracuse for a midweek ACC matchup. Copeland faced his former coach, Adrian Autry, and former teammate JJ Starling.
Copeland helped lift the Wolfpack to an 88-68 victory over the Orange by scoring 19 points, dishing out nine assists and grabbing four steals.
His athletic contributions were certainly important, but the intangibles stood out the most.
“I think today showed my growth, to be honest, because I didn’t let this game get to my head,” Copeland said. “All the stuff I’ve been working on and my maturity, trying to let things go and be a better person to be a better basketball player. I think it all showed up today in this moment.”
Wade said Copeland was better than expected and stayed under emotional control.
“We talked every day, and I’m very proud of him,” Wade said.
Copeland credited his teammates for helping him have a big game; one he had circled on the calendar for months. He was one assist shy of tying his season high and earning a double-double.
“The plan was to go in there and win, and my teammates helped me every way possible,” Copeland said. “They knew how important this game was to me. They knew the things behind it. This whole week, they’ve just been letting me know they got my back and today showed. I don’t get nine assists without them making shots.”
Autry said the goal was obviously to guard Copeland, but his squad had a difficult time keeping him and the rest of the Wolfpack in front of the defense.
“He’s probably playing at an all-conference level right now. He’s a lot to handle,” Autry said. “A 6-6 guard that can move, wiggle, see over defenses, see over traps. You try to force him into different places, and he’s used to that. He’s the main guy on the scouting report.”
A new start with a new coach
Copeland was expected to be the starting point guard at Syracuse after Judah Mintz’s graduation, but he transferred from Syracuse after feeling like that was not going to be an option. The coaching staff’s vision for Copeland was different than what he wanted for his career. They wanted to rein him in, and he played out of position.
Mintz recently told a local Syracuse outlet that Copeland butted heads with the staff. Ultimately, Copeland was not the right fit for the Orange.
He found that fit with Wade.
Copeland is a better person, better leader and his statistics have drastically improved under Wade and the staff’s guidance.
The two have somewhat openly discussed their relationship. In fact, prior to the season, Copeland said their relationship got off to a rocky start. He didn’t understand Wade. Wade didn’t understand him. Copeland was also immature in his basketball IQ.
Wade provided tough love — hence the brief hiatus from the Cowboys’ team — and structure in a way that Copeland hadn’t had before. Still, Wade is not afraid to admonish Copeland and hold him accountable. Wade publicly yelled at Copeland after Copeland picked up a technical foul at Florida State for chirping at the opposing bench.
Copeland still needs someone to provide discipline at times, but he knows it’s coming from a place of belief and care. Wade previously complimented Copeland on his toughness and described him as a cockroach that’s hard to kill.
“I appreciate Coach [Wade]. He’ll put you through the dirt to see if you’re gonna come out and survive,” Copeland said. “That’s what I grew up off of. The tough love is nothing at this point. You’ve just got to know what it’s for. You’ve got to just know it’s love at the end of the day.”
This story was originally published January 28, 2026 at 6:05 AM.