What is NC State women’s secret to improved post play? Ask ‘Mama Nikki,’ players say

N.C. State’s women’s basketball roster features one of the best backcourt lineups in the nation, and that alone provides the Wolfpack an elite scoring threat and maximum defensive disruption.

The team’s frontcourt, however, was a cause for concern early in the year.

After losing Boston University transfer Caitlin Weimar — she has since re-entered the transfer portal — and returning center Lizzy Williamson to injuries to begin the season, the Wolfpack stumbled out to a 4-3 start. It looked like a good ACC team, with room to grow. Head coach Wes Moore said following N.C. State’s final non-conference game he wasn’t comfortable with the Pack’s inside rotation.

Months later, after grinding through the ACC portion of its schedule all the way to a shared regular-season title, things have changed for the Wolfpack: Four of N.C. State’s first eight opponents were ranked, and outscored the Wolfpack in the paint, 154-106, but since then, in the Pack’s matchups against ranked opponents, it finished with an advantage of 306-270 in points in the lane.

But why?

The players, to a person, point to associate head coach Nikki West and her corps of assistants. West was one of five coaches named Friday to the Association of Blacks in Sports watchlist that recognizes the top Black assistant coaches in the country.

“Coach Nikki is amazing,” N.C. State rookie Tilda Trygger said. “She is teaching us how to do our post moves, but she also teaches us what attitude we need to have, mental stuff. She’s helping us with everything, not just basketball. I’m super grateful to have her on the coaching staff, because she has gone through this, so she understands how it is.”

Trygger, Lorena Awou and Mallory Collier said West’s impact extends beyond the interior scoring. She has helped them improve in every area, including defensive schemes, shot blocking, footwork, free throws and overall toughness.

And with the early roster attrition, the group needed the help.

“It was one of those moments when you’re like, ‘Oh my gosh, we’re losing a big part of the team or a big piece of the puzzle,’” West said. “Each one of those young ladies were challenged — there was plenty of opportunity — and they have stepped up. They’ve listened, they’ve learned, they’ve grown.”

Trygger has been one of the most improved post players for N.C. State this season. She was inserted into the starting lineup at the end of December and started 20 consecutive games. Her rookie resume includes three double-doubles, a career-high 19 points in the Pack’s double-overtime win over Notre Dame and All-ACC Freshman Team honors.

Trygger averaged 3.1 points and 2.5 rebounds in nonconference play. She more than doubled her figures in ACC competition, contributing 8.6 points and 6.1 rebounds against conference opponents.

The rookie from Stockholm, Sweden, scored N.C. State’s first eight points against North Carolina in the ACC Tournament semifinals. The Wolfpack is 17-3 with her as a starter.

N.C. State’s two other young posts provided important minutes against North Carolina in the ACC Tournament as well, pushing the Pack past the Tar Heels and into the championship game. Awou went 4 of 5 from the floor and 2 of 2 from the line, tying her career high with 10 points.

Collier provided bulk and depth more than anything else. An offensive rebound and put-back gave N.C. State a 15-point advantage.

West, who used to be a first-grade teacher, compared the gains the underclassmen post players made to her former classes.

“After Christmas, for whatever reason, it’s like the light bulb comes on and the kids can read, they can do all this stuff,” West said. “That’s what it’s been like. It’s been refreshing. To see them grow, it’s been fun.”

Long-term loyalty

West is in her ninth season with N.C. State and 18th alongside Moore. She served as an assistant coach for UNC-Charlotte for two seasons before returning to Raleigh.

The Wolfpack’s bigs have thrived under her guidance.

River Baldwin and Mimi Collins played two seasons for N.C. State and earned professional contracts overseas. They were instrumental in the team’s run to the 2024 Final Four after upping their game from Year 1 to Year 2.

Under West’s guidance, Baldwin and Collins both averaged 10.6 points and more than six rebounds per game last season. Baldwin’s numbers jumped from 5.7 points and four rebounds per game in her first season. Collins’ averages improved by nearly four points and two rebounds each contest.

Elissa Cunane earned ACC Tournament MVP honors twice, All-America recognition and became a WNBA draft pick with help from West. Markeisha Gatling was the most efficient shooter and improved her scoring from 9.6 points per game to 17.4 points.

“Everyone talks about Geno (Auriemma) and Chris Dailey,” Moore said, referring to the Connecticut staff. “Nikki is kind of my Chris Dailey. She’s taken on more and more responsibility. I’m learning to let stuff go a little bit, especially the stuff I don’t want to deal with. I let her handle that. … Very blessed to have her with me. She oversees the whole staff pretty much, and she’s really great with the players.”

Moore said West had an opportunity to leave N.C. State for a position that offered higher compensation. She declined the offer, without telling him, and opted to stay with the Pack. That spoke to her loyalty.

N.C. State rewarded her with an updated contract and raise. For West, it wasn’t about the money. She enjoys working with Moore and being part of the Wolfpack.

“Coach Moore is an amazing person, and he genuinely cares about people,” West said. “They say the grass is not always greener on the other side. I found comfort in him. He trusts me and allowed me to grow and just be a better coach and a better person. I’ve been a part of the program and loved every moment of it.”

‘They call me Mama Nikki’

Much of West’s coaching success has its roots in her playing experience. As a player, then-Nikki Blassingame led Clemson to four NCAA Tournament appearances and the program’s first ACC Championship in 1996. During her final season, West helped the Tigers win their second tournament title and advance to the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16. She averaged 10.4 points and 7.9 rebounds as a senior.

“Coach Nikki has been in our position before, so I think that’s a really good thing that we have,” Collier said. “She knows what she’s talking about and she knows what to expect. I feel like you don’t get that a lot, and that’s a really good opportunity for us to just learn from her and listen to everything that you know she tells us. She only wants the best for us.”

The players said N.C. State’s history of success correlates with West’s presence on the bench, but she also has some great assistants of her own. West said Kevin Leatherwood, Kayla Jones, Brittany Morris and Ashley Williams make her look good.

“I can sit back a lot of times and not have to do anything but give a look,” West said. “It’s great.”

Beyond her playing experience, the players and their families like West’s personality. Moore is a tougher coach; he lays down the law. West holds the same high expectations, but provides a gentler approach.

Baldwin’s mother, Gabrielle, and Saniya Rivers’ mother, Dee, both said that balance drew their daughters — both transfers — to the program. They know West will do anything for them while still providing accountability.

The players see it, too.

Aziaha James said West is like their on-campus mom, even for the guards. She “strutted her stuff” on the airplane to the NCAA regional in Portland last season when the team held an in-flight fashion show. She plays cards and gives plenty of hugs. West’s belief in James’ skills kept her with the program, while she worked for more playing time.

Trygger talks to her family regularly and still feels connected, yet it’s not quite the same. She appreciates having a maternal figure in Raleigh, to have someone in the same building to celebrate her wins and provide support on bad days.

“They call me ‘Mama Nikki.’ They may not always want to hear what I have to say, but it’s from a good place,” West said. “I’m always trying to help them not only grow on the court but grow as people, as individuals, to be better when they leave this place than they were when they came. I do think that not only do they make an impression on me, hopefully I make an impression on them.”

N.C. State begins its NCAA Tournament journey Saturday against Vermont. The game is set to tip at 2 p.m. in Reynolds Coliseum. The Pack is a No. 2 seed, but it’s not a favorite to repeat as a Final Four team. In order to bust some brackets, the team needs strong performances from every group, especially down low.

West and her staff will have them prepared.

This story was originally published March 22, 2025 at 6:30 AM with the headline "What is NC State women’s secret to improved post play? Ask ‘Mama Nikki,’ players say."

Jadyn Watson-Fisher

The News & Observer