Amanda Knapp
NC State basketball has seen a flurry of transfer activity, with players both joining and leaving the Wolfpack. The team's new head coach, Will Wade, has been busy finalising his roster, with players like Zymicah Wilkins, Matthew Able, Quadir Copeland, and Bryce Heard committing to the program. On the other hand, players like DJ Horne, Casey Morsell, and DJ Burns Jr. have departed, leaving room for new additions via the transfer portal. The Wolfpack's projected lineup for its game against Purdue featured five players added through the portal, including Louisville transfer Mike James and Georgetown transfer Dontrez Styles. With a mix of transfers and freshmen joining the team, NC State basketball is shaping up for an exciting future.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| New head coach | Will Wade |
| 2024 recruits | Four-star guard Bryce Heard, four-star forward Zymicah Wilkins |
| 2025 recruits | Five-star guard Matthew Able |
| Players entering the transfer portal | Ernest Ross, Kam Woods, LJ Thomas |
| Players leaving | DJ Horne, Casey Morsell, DJ Burns Jr. |
| Players joining | Louisville transfers Mike James and Brandon Huntley-Hatfield, Bowling Green transfer Marcus Hill, Georgetown transfer Dontrez Styles, Trey Parker, Paul McNeil |
| Former head coach | Kevin Keatts |
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What You'll Learn
Matthew Able, a five-star guard, signs with NC State
NC State has added another talented prospect to its roster, with five-star guard Matthew Able signing for the Wolfpack. Able, a 6-foot-5 Sagemont (FL) guard, is a highly-rated prospect and one of the top players in the 2025 class. He is expected to make an immediate impact for the Wolfpack and is a great addition to the program.
Able had been in discussions with NC State for some time, and his signing is another sign that the Wolfpack is building a strong roster through a variety of recruitment methods. New head coach Will Wade will be pleased with the addition of Able, who is the latest in a string of new signings for the Wolfpack.
Able joins four-star guard Bryce Heard, forward Zymicah Wilkins, and transfers Quadir Copeland, Mike James, Marcus Hill, and Dontrez Styles as new additions to the NC State roster. The Wolfpack has also added freshmen Trey Parker and Paul McNeil, who will be joining the team next year.
With a host of new talent, NC State is building an exciting roster with a mix of experienced transfers and highly-rated young prospects. The Wolfpack has added depth to its guard positions and will be looking to compete at a high level in the upcoming season. Able, in particular, is a significant signing and a player who could make an immediate impact for the Wolfpack.
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Will Wade is the new head coach of NC State
Will Wade has been named the new head coach of the NC State Wolfpack men's basketball program. Wade, who has signed a six-year agreement, will be formally introduced as the 21st head coach in program history. He replaces Kevin Keatts, who had to juggle his duties with the transfer portal, which was open across college basketball.
Wade is a proven coach with a history of success on the court. He spent the last two seasons at McNeese, winning 57 games and going 36-2 in conference play, claiming consecutive regular-season and conference tournament titles. Prior to McNeese, Wade spent five seasons as the head coach at LSU, leading the Tigers to three out of four NCAA tournaments, including their first SEC regular-season title in a decade in 2019. He finished his time at LSU with a record of 105-51, ranking him as the fourth-winningest coach in the program's history.
Before his time at LSU, Wade was the head coach at VCU for two seasons, winning 51 games and a regular-season title. He led the Rams to the NCAA tournament in both seasons, advancing to the second round in 2016. Wade has a reputation for having great relationships with his players, holding them accountable, and believing in his ability to "win big" at NC State.
One of Wade's first tasks as the new head coach will be roster construction, and it is expected that he will rely on the transfer portal, prep, and JUCO ranks to build a competitive roster for the Wolfpack.
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NC State lands four-star forward Zymicah Wilkins
NC State has landed a commitment from 2025 four-star forward Zymicah Wilkins, who was on campus this weekend for an official visit. Wilkins, a 6-foot-8, 227-pound senior post player, is a highly touted recruit, choosing NC State over multiple prestigious programs such as Georgetown, Florida State, Georgia, and others.
Wilkins, who plays for Christ School in Rutherfordton, North Carolina, and Team United in AAU ball, is a consensus four-star prospect. ESPN ranks him as the #54 overall player nationally in the 2025 recruiting class, the #7 Power Forward, and the #2 player in the state of North Carolina.
This commitment is a significant boost for NC State's basketball program, adding a talented and highly sought-after player to their roster. Wilkins' size, skills, and versatility are expected to make an immediate impact on the court. Standing at 6'8" tall and weighing 215-227 pounds, he possesses the physical attributes to dominate in the paint and battle against opposing big men.
Wilkins' decision to commit to NC State demonstrates the program's appeal and ability to attract top talent. He had initially included NC State in his Top-7 choices and even postponed his trip to the university. However, after his official visit, he ultimately decided to commit to the Wolfpack. Wilkins joins wing R.J. Greer in NC State's impressive class of 2025.
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NC State adds Louisville transfer Mike James
NC State has added Louisville transfer Mike James to its roster for the upcoming season. James, a 6'5", 200-pound guard, committed to the Wolfpack on Tuesday, April 23, 2024, after spending three seasons with the Cardinals. James will join teammate Brandon Huntley-Hatfield, who also transferred to NC State from Louisville.
James started all 32 games during the 2023-24 season, averaging 33.3 minutes per game. He contributed 12.6 points and 5.0 rebounds per game and notched a career-high 26 points against Miami on January 10, 2024. James is a physical and aggressive player, taking 47% of his field goal attempts at the rim and drawing a lot of fouls. He is also a capable three-point shooter, making 34.8% of his attempts for his career.
James will have two years of eligibility remaining at NC State. The Wolfpack coaching staff is excited about his potential, and head coach Kevin Keatts had hoped that James would be able to play in late 2024. However, James sustained an injury before the season, and while he has been cleared to begin drills, his return to the court remains uncertain.
James is a significant addition to the NC State roster, which features several players added through the transfer portal. The Wolfpack will also welcome freshmen Trey Parker and Paul McNeil next year, while saying goodbye to DJ Horne, Casey Morsell, and DJ Burns Jr.
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Marcus Hill joins NC State, averaging 20.5 points
NC State has added Bowling Green transfer Marcus Hill to its roster for the 2024-25 season. Hill, a 6-foot-4 guard, averaged 20.5 points, five rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game during his time at Bowling Green. In his sophomore year, he averaged 12.6 points, five rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game.
Hill is a strong addition to the Wolfpack, having started all 34 games for the Falcons last season and finishing with 20 or more points in 19 of them, including three games with 30 or more points. He also demonstrated his all-around ability by leading the team in assists (87) and steals (35).
With the departures of DJ Horne, Casey Morsell, and DJ Burns Jr., who have all exhausted their eligibility, and Mohamed Diarra, who has chosen to pursue professional opportunities, NC State needed to add depth to its backcourt. Head coach Kevin Keatts addressed this need through the transfer portal, bringing in Hill, along with Louisville transfer Mike James and Georgetown transfer Dontrez Styles.
Hill's scoring ability and well-rounded game will be crucial for NC State as they look to build on their successful run to the Final Four last season. With a strong incoming class and key returning players, the Wolfpack will be an exciting team to watch in the upcoming college basketball season.
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Frequently asked questions
After the transfer portal closed, NC State basketball added Louisville transfers Mike James and Brandon Huntley-Hatfield, along with Bowling Green transfer Marcus Hill and Georgetown transfer Dontrez Styles. Freshmen Trey Parker and Paul McNeil will also be joining the team.
Robert Dillingham announced on his Instagram that he has decommitted from NC State, but the school remains an option for him. Following NC State's season-ending loss to Purdue in the Final Four, Ernest Ross, Kam Woods, and LJ Thomas entered the transfer portal.
The head coach of the NC State basketball team is Kevin Keatts. Will Wade was also named as the program's new head coach.
