NC State Basketball: Analyzing Wolfpack 2021 incoming recruiting class

Kevin Keatts is entering his fifth full season as the head coach of NC State Basketball with almost everything still to prove. His three full offseasons have seen incoming recruiting classes with an average rank of sixth in the ACC, yet his teams have only finished in the top half of the league once in that span.

To be fair, it takes time to build up a program like NC State which was left under the eye of both the FBI and the NCAA by former Head Coach Mark Gottfried.

Keatts is putting together excellent recruiting classes given their position—a sign which will eventually pay off, regardless of the short-term returns. This year’s class is no different. It is not Keatts’ largest freshman class, but one that compensates with high-quality transfers—a staple of many team’s incoming classes in the transfer portal era.

Overall, the Wolfpack bring in five recruits: Two transfers and three freshmen. All five will see playing time right away, potentially as the team’s first five off the bench, at least to start the season.

5. Breon Pass

247Sports: No. 161 overall, 3-star, No. 24 PG

Breon Pass joins sophomore and starter Cam Hayes as the only true point guards on the roster. That fact alone will earn him playing time, although there are a few combo guard options that could bump him down in the rotation.

Pass was a dual-sport athlete in high school, receiving “double-digit offers” in both football and basketball, per 247Sports.

Pass’s athleticism is undeniable—lateral quickness, first step proficiency, and overall ease of movement. Now that his focus is solely on playing basketball at a high major level, that talent could easily blossom into something really special for the Wolfpack.