As we continue our national tour of college basketball programs ahead of the 2025–26 season, we turn our lens to a high-major squad undergoing a full identity reset: the NC State Wolfpack.
With veteran head coach Will Wade now at the helm, the program has undergone one of the most dramatic offseason roster overhauls in the country. And that’s exactly how Wade wants it.
“We didn’t inherit—we rebuilt,” Wade told local reporters. “This roster isn’t just patched together. It’s built piece by piece to reflect the type of basketball we’re going to play in Raleigh.”
Wade arrives from McNeese State after a masterclass season in culture-setting and winning. With prior success at VCU, LSU, and now NC State, he’s made a career out of flipping rosters, maximizing buy-in, and winning quickly. The ACC is the next proving ground.
This year’s NC State squad features a sharp, intentional blend of battle-tested high-major transfers, trusted system returners from McNeese, two holdovers from last season’s roster, and freshmen with legitimate long-term upside. They’re long. They’re athletic. And they play with an edge.
🔍 Unit 1 Hoop Source Scouting Report
(Independent evaluation from film, verified stats, and sourced staff insight)
🟥 = Strength | 🟦 = Area for Growth | 🔑 = Key Takeaway
🔹 Darrion Williams | 6’6″ | Wing | Senior | Transfer from Texas Tech
📊 15.1 PPG | 5.5 RPG | 3.6 APG
🟥 Creative playmaker who thrives with the ball or off it
🟥 Big guard who rebounds and sees the floor well
🟥 Quiet leader who communicates through actions
🟦 Doesn’t possess elite vertical athleticism
🔑 The anchor piece for Wade—versatile, poised, and built to win in March
“Darrion gives us presence. He can control a game without chasing stats.” — Coach Wade
🔹 Alyn Breed | 6’3″ | Guard | Senior | Transfer from McNeese / Providence
📊 8.9 PPG | 3.4 RPG | 2.7 APG
🟥 Veteran point-of-attack defender with maturity
🟥 Executes sets cleanly and understands Wade’s system
🟥 Makes the game simple for others
🟦 Below-average perimeter shooter
🔑 Trusted floor leader who brings stability and toughness
“He’s steady. He’s smart. He knows how we want to play.” — Coach Wade
🔹 Quadir Copeland | 6’6″ | Guard | Senior | Transfer from McNeese / Syracuse
📊 6.5 PPG | 3.3 RPG | 1.9 APG
🟥 Switchable defender with wingspan and bounce
🟥 Has shown flashes as a playmaker in transition
🟦 Needs more consistency with shooting and decision-making
🔑 A system-specific piece who could pop under Wade’s structure
“Quadir brings size, versatility, and he’s more confident now.” — Coach Wade
🔹 Tre Holloman | 6’2″ | Guard | Senior | Transfer from Michigan State
📊 4.4 PPG | 2.9 APG | 1.2 SPG
🟥 Big Ten-tested defender who doesn’t shy from contact
🟥 Plays under control—low turnovers, high efficiency
🟦 Not a natural scorer
🔑 Key role guard who elevates the team without needing the ball
“Tre’s a gamer. He plays hard and defends hard.” — Coach Wade
🔹 Terrance Arceneaux | 6’6″ | Wing | Junior | Transfer from Houston
📊 7.1 PPG | 3.6 RPG | 1.1 SPG
🟥 Elite defensive tools—length, timing, effort
🟥 High motor in transition
🟦 Inconsistent outside shot
🔑 Rotational wing who can guard multiple positions and make hustle plays
“He’s a winning player. No flash—just impact.” — Coach Wade
🔹 Scottie Ebube | 6’10″ | Center | Senior | Transfer from Wyoming
📊 6.2 PPG | 6.8 RPG | 1.4 BPG
🟥 Physical post defender with strong rebounding motor
🟥 Plays within himself; doesn’t overcomplicate touches
🟦 Not a floor spacer or stretch option
🔑 Blue-collar post who brings rim protection and toughness
“Scottie’s a rock. You know exactly what you’re getting every night.” — Coach Wade
🔹 Ven-Allen Lubin | 6’8″ | Forward | Senior | Transfer from North Carolina
📊 5.3 PPG | 4.7 RPG
🟥 Athletic finisher who rebounds outside his area
🟥 Defends 4s and small-ball 5s
🟦 Needs consistency with midrange shot and pick & pop reads
🔑 Physical forward who fits Wade’s rebounding and transition tempo
“Ven’s active. He gives us bounce and effort every possession.” — Coach Wade
🔹 Jerry Deng | 6’9″ | Forward | Junior | Transfer from Florida State
📊 5.8 PPG | 4.1 RPG
🟥 Long, agile, and comfortable switching defensively
🟥 Productive in garbage plays—lobs, rebounds, putbacks
🟦 Needs to improve feel in halfcourt offense
🔑 Toolsy hybrid forward who can carve out a role as a disruptor
“Jerry gives us versatility. He’s everywhere when he’s locked in.” — Coach Wade
🔹 Colt Langdon | 6’6″ | Wing | R-Freshman | Transfer from Butler
📊 DNP – Redshirt (2024–25)
🟥 Strong midrange game with mature footwork
🟥 Competes defensively and does little things well
🟦 Needs ACC game reps to speed up decision-making
🔑 Sleeper contributor with toughness and scoring instincts
“Colt’s underrated. He’ll make his name with how hard he plays.” — Coach Wade
🔹 Matt Able | 6’5″ | Guard | Freshman | Tampa, FL
📊 HS Senior Year: 21.4 PPG | 6.0 RPG
🟥 Confident scorer with a smooth release
🟥 Competes on both ends with fire
🟦 Must adapt to physicality of college defenders
🔑 Long-term scoring guard who may flash early off the bench
“Matt’s fearless. He plays like he belongs already.” — Coach Wade
🔹 Jayme Kontuniemi | 6’5″ | Guard | Freshman | Finland
📊 Euro U20: 11.8 PPG | 4.2 RPG
🟥 Smart positional guard with mature pace
🟥 Efficient in catch-and-shoot rhythm
🟦 Still adjusting to American physicality
🔑 High-IQ international guard who brings poise and skill
“Jayme doesn’t rush. He’s ahead of where most freshmen are.” — Coach Wade
🔹 Zymicah Wilkins | 6’8″ | Forward | Freshman | Christ School (NC)
📊 18.2 PPG | 9.1 RPG
🟥 Hard-nosed rebounder and physical finisher
🟥 High motor and willingness to defend
🟦 Needs skill development facing up
🔑 Future starter candidate with throwback toughness
“Zymicah plays grown-man basketball. He doesn’t back down.” — Coach Wade
🔹 Paul McNeil | 6’5″ | Guard | Sophomore | Returning Player
📊 4.2 PPG | 1.3 RPG | 0.8 APG | 35.6% 3PT
🟥 Knockdown shooter with a smooth release
🟥 Understands floor spacing and off-ball reads
🟦 Needs to be more assertive creating his own shot
🔑 The lone returner—his shooting could keep him in Wade’s rotation
“Paul’s stayed solid through the transition. He gives us spacing and composure.” — Coach Wade
🔹 Paul Mbiya | 6’11″ | Center | Freshman | International (ASVEL / DR Congo)
📊 Est.: 5–7 PPG | 4–6 RPG (Euro U21 Club)
🟥 Elite size and shot-blocking potential
🟥 Active rebounder and lob finisher
🟦 Very raw offensively; will take time to polish
🔑 Long-term rim protector with pro size and effort
“Paul brings elite size and rim protection. As he adjusts, he could anchor our interior defense.” — Coach Wade
🏁 Closing Statement | From Unit 1 Hoop Source
This NC State team isn’t a traditional rebuild—it’s a reset with purpose. Will Wade didn’t just stack transfers—he strategically built a roster that fits his brand of basketball: tough, disciplined, and unselfish. With Paul McNeil returning, Mbiya anchoring the future, and a core of high-major-tested veterans, the Pack now has pieces, toughness, and direction.
By February, this could be the most dangerous unranked team in the ACC.
🔒 Editorial Disclaimer | Unit 1 Hoop Source
All scouting evaluations, statistical breakdowns, and player projections are based on verified sources, live/game film, and independent analysis conducted by Unit 1 Hoop Source. While we strive for 100% accuracy and fact-check all roster data, transfers, and stats through official team sites and media partners, rosters and roles are subject to change. Our mission is to provide honest, respectful, and insightful basketball coverage.
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