Transfer Portal Dates:
- Portal opens – Tuesday April 7 – the day after the National Championship game
- Portal closes – Tuesday April 21 – no players can enter the transfer portal after that date unless there is a coaching change.
2026 Roster Construction
Coach Wade did an interview talking about his plans for next year’s roster. Highlights:
- “I wouldn’t worry about us.”
- “This will be the worst team we have at NC State right here.”
- “We’ve got a hell of a plan. I’ve been working on this for the last six weeks.”
- “We need tough, gritty guys that when things get tough, they rise to the occasion.”
- “We need front court help. We need three guys that can play multiple positions.”
- [talking about Lubin, Copeland, McNeil] “I’d love to have a whole roster of guys like those three.”
Looking at the current 15-man roster – plus the 2 committed recruits:
- Eligibility Expired – Snell, Williams, Holloman, Copeland, Ebube, Lubin
- 1 year eligibility – Breed, Arceneaux
- 2 years eligibility – McNeil, Deng (Jr. – intends to redshirt for this season)
- 3 years eligibility – Able, Sagnia
- 4 years eligibility – Cloer, Carter-Givens, Wilkins (R/S), Langdon (R/S), Kontuniemi (R/S)
Of the Potential 11 Remaining Players, Who Do You Want To Keep?
*** Absolutely: Paul McNeil established himself as the best 3PT shooter in the ACC. The rest of his game can still improve to prepare for the next level. Matt Able needs to learn to play consistently, his best games were good and will get
better. Next season they should both be included in the best guards in the ACC. Great foundational pieces if we can keep them.
- Paul McNeil (6’5” SG / SF), Matt Able (6’6” SG)
- McNeil will be a focal point of the offense next season
- The one concern in their personal decision making might be redundancy with Cole Cloer. That’s more likely to influence Able’s decision than McNeil’s. McNeil has said he likes being close to home in Raleigh.
*** Absolutely: High potential recruits identified and recruited by this staff
- Cole Cloer (6’7” SF) (enrolled at NC State in January, rehabbing his knee)
- “He’s got great height, he’s got great length and really shoots the ball at a high, high level.” Coach Wade
- 4-star, 247 ranked #27
- Cloer is expected to be fully cleared for summer skills and conditioning workouts.
- Profile
- Trevon Carter-Givens (6’11” Center)
- “He’s one of the premier shot blockers in all of high school basketball and that’s a skill that translates from high school to college to pro.” Coach Wade
- 7’6” wingspan
- 4-star, 247 ranked #105
- Profile
** Highly likely:
- Mikey Wilkins (6’9” PF) – We haven’t seen him play but based on his profile I think he is the type of big man we need. He has been a dedicated gym rat all season, working closely with strength and conditioning coach Steve Soltysiak and Player Development director Joseph Anderson, and played on the scout team in practice. He has lost 30 pounds (from 260) and is said to be in the best shape of his life. He is a true power forward, plays close to the basket, and has a college-ready body.
- “People are going to be very surprised with Zymicah Wilkins,” [Player Development Director Joseph] Anderson said in an interview. “That kid is going to be really good. He’s one of the most-skilled bigs I’ve been around. He’s got a good power and finesse to him. He’s got really soft hands. He doesn’t drop passes. His feet are incredible. His touch around the rim. He’s starting to be more explosive now that his body is shaping in. I’m really excited for him.”
- ’24-’25 North Carolina Mr. Basketball
- 6’10” wingspan
- Averaged 13.4 points / 7.2 rebounds / 2.8 assists / 1.4 steals / 1.1 blocks his senior season
- 4-star, 247 ranked #102
- Profile
* Possible: I suppose it’s possible Terrance Arceneaux might get another look if the price is right. Before last season he was touted as one of the best defenders in the country, and considered a possible Wolfpack starter by some. For whatever reason (his achilles injury was part of it), he never played to that potential this season, but he has obvious skills and athleticism. I think it much more likely that he’ll look for another opportunity, probably closer to Beaumont.
- Terrance Arceneaux
- As a transfer, 4-star, 247 ranked #132
- Averaged 3.8 ppg / 2.6 rpg
- Season highs: 13 points, 7 rebounds, 4 steals
Highly Unlikely: We’ve seen them play enough to know we can upgrade.
- Alyn Breed, Jerry Deng, Musa Sagnia
Highly Unlikely: We haven’t seen them play meaningful minutes, but the staff has seen them in practice and know enough to make the decision.
- Jayme Kontuniemi, Colt Langdon – Seems unlikely either will be retained. Colt played less than 20 total minutes this season, and only in garbage time. He expects to qualify for a medical red shirt to retain this season’s eligibility. Kontuniemi red shirted right away, so both probably have four seasons to sell to someone.
Next:
Roster Build 2026 – Step 2: Transfer Strategy
