Paws crossed: ‘Woofpack’ helps NC State women’s basketball team on and off the court

N.C. State’s women’s basketball players are known for many things: Elite play on the court, toughness, social media videos and larger-than-life personalities. N.C. State head coach Wes Moore has said more than once he wants his players to be “dawgs” on the court — loosely defined as players willing to get scrappy and do the little things well to achieve success.

Some of Moore’s players, however, seem to have taken the term “dog” a bit more literally, off the court.

Zamareya Jones, Zoe Brooks, Aziaha James and Madison Hayes own dogs, and it’s normal to see at least one of their animals in the locker room, training room or courtside during practice. Jones and Brooks are the most likely to bring their furry companions along to activities.

Benji Brooks: High energy, like his human

Benji Brooks, a Boston Terrier, made a guest appearance two weeks ago, before the team left for the ACC Tournament in Greensboro.

“He’s bad. A bad dog,” Brooks said. “He’s crazy, he’s too hyper. Everybody, when they see Benji come, they start running. He terrorizes people when I travel, because he’s mad I left him. I kind of alternate with my friends. I don’t really have one main (dog sitter), because once they watch him once, they don’t want to watch him again.”

“Benji does too much,” Saniya Rivers added.

Brooks — the human, not the dog — said he’s the “school dog,” and claimed athletic trainer Brittany Blunt favors Benji. Blunt was unavailable to confirm this claim.

Brooks adopted Benji last January, in the middle of her freshman year, and he’s bullied people and other animals ever since. Benji needs to be in puppy school, Brooks said, because he picks and chooses when he listens and can be a tad aggressive. He bit her leg when they would race each other last offseason. (Brooks said Wes Moore should thank Benji for helping her get faster on the court.)

But, she admits, he’s a reflection of her own chaotic nature. One of Brooks’ key traits, according to her teammates, is high energy, silliness and chatter. She spent the better part of an open locker room period during the 2024 NCAA Tournament regionals rolling on the floor, after all.

“They say we act just alike; he just acts like me in dog form,” Brooks said. “I do take the blame for his actions.”

Buzz Jones: A guard’s best friend

Jones has been compared to Brooks in her personality and playing style; both extraordinarily confident and capable of finishing difficult shots at the rim. The freshman also took a cue from her older counterpart when it came to pet parenthood.

Buzz Jones joined the Pack in November, days before the season began, and makes his own regular appearances. The 6-month-old mini cockapoo was even present during a postgame radio interview on Dec. 5, following the Pack’s 68-61 win over Ole Miss in the ACC-SEC Challenge.

“I bring him often, because he’s my best friend,” Jones said. “Everywhere I go, I want him to go. I don’t want to leave him in no cage all day. I’m a college student, so when I can bring him, I’m gonna bring him.”

‘Like a child’

Hayes and James are roommates with three pups between them.

Koda Hayes is most popular among the group. He made an appearance last April during the Wolfpack’s Final Four celebration, and was held like Simba, “The Lion King” character, in front of adoring N.C. State fans.

Hayes had wanted a dog since she was a freshman, but couldn’t properly take care of one. With NIL funds and sponsorships, she decided to adopt Koda last year.

“I saw him, and I was just like, ‘Yeah, he’s coming home with me,’” Hayes said.

She found the dog before N.C. State left for Portland, where it played in the Sweet 16 and Elite Eight. The Pack went directly to Cleveland for the Final Four, and Hayes picked him up shortly after getting off the bus upon their return to Raleigh. Koda reportedly “beat Benji up” when they first met, a story that garnered laughs in the locker room Friday.

Even with the rocky introduction, Hayes said her “baby” is generally calm and she’s grateful to have him.

“(I’m) watching him grow. Sometimes he can be irritable and oh my gosh, it’s annoying, but it’s like a child,” Hayes said. “Being able to have those responsibilities will make you better as a person. I love it. I love him.”

Stay-at-home companions

Finally, James owns Princess and Bruno, both chihuahua mixes. She adopted Princess, 2, last season to keep Bruno, 10, company. Unlike Buzz and Benji, they don’t typically come to campus. James said they’re relatively calm, but they can still be feisty and Bruno roams. If he’s not on a leash, he’ll run. It’s safer to keep them at home with Koda.

The guard admitted Bruno is an N.C. State senior, too. James said the family adopted him after her brothers moved out and she was the primary caretaker, so he accompanied her on the move to Raleigh.

“He was in my dorm. I hid him in my dorm and everything,” James said. “He has been with me through the struggles … that’s my buddy.”

Playing bas-cat-ball

Rivers often pulls down rebounds over bigger players with ease, her reflexes and ability to jump through the air like a cat. It’s only right she has the team’s only feline.

Rivers added a black cat named Masego, in reference to the R&B artist, to the team last spring after the Final Four. She remembers sitting in her room and being lonely but didn’t think she could properly care for a dog. She decided to get a cat. Shortly after making the decision, Rivers saw an ad for an adoption event about 15 minutes from campus and found a kitten on her first visit.

“A lot of people hate on black cats, like, ‘Oh, they’re the devil. They got those demon eyes.’ But she’s so sweet,” Rivers said. “She’s the sweetest thing ever.”

The cat spends most of her time in Rivers’ room, taking naps and occasionally trying to escape.

Masego, now nearing a year old, has become a master of opening doors; it’s her secret talent. Rivers and center Lizzy Williamson, who was caring for the cat, discovered the skill when the team returned from a road game and Masego jumped on the handle of Williamson’s bedroom door.

“She had no business opening that door,” Rivers said. “Now Lizzy is her favorite, and she always goes and opens the door.”

N.C. State hosts opening-round games in the NCAA Tournament this weekend. Winning both games would send the team to the Sweet 16 for the sixth time under Wes Moore. The pets won’t be in tow; it’s all business, after all.

But the Wolfpack hopes it can bring home another trophy and show off the furry friends at the Bell Tower once again.

They’ve all got their paws crossed.

This story was originally published March 24, 2025 at 6:00 AM with the headline "Paws crossed: ‘Woofpack’ helps NC State women’s basketball team on and off the court."

Jadyn Watson-Fisher

The News & Observer