When Coach Will Wade left NC State Basketball this offseason for LSU, it led to a massive roster change. New head coach Justin Gainey was able to keep one rotation player on the roster, 6’5 sophomore guard Paul McNeil (13.8 ppg).
To Gainey’s credit, the Wolfpack did a solid job in rebuilding the roster, landing nine players from the transfer portal. In the backcourt, they landed key guards such as Christian Hammond (Santa Clara), Preston Edmead (Hofstra), and Darius Adams (Maryland).
There weren’t as many additions in the frontcourt this offseason. Kyle Evans is a 6’10 big man who was the Defensive Player of the Year at UC Irvine, while Shah Hall is a JUCO big man transfer to add frontcourt depth. At the projected four-spot, the Wolfpack landed Eemeli Yalaho, a 6’8 forward who averaged 10.1 ppg and 5.7 rpg at Washington State. There’s also sophomore forward Zymicah Wilkins, who redshirted last season, along with three-star incoming freshman Robert Jurkovic.
That lack of proven ACC production in the frontcourt is a major weakness for NC State heading into the 2026-27 season. However, thanks to favorable rulings from judges throughout the country, many potential 5th-year seniors are gaining one more year of eligibility for next season. On Saturday, the Wolfpack became an official beneficiary.
NEWS: NC State forward Ven-Allen Lubin will return NC State for his fifth season, source tells @247Sports
— Dushawn London (@DushawnLondon1) August 15, 2026
He averaged 13.6 points and 7.1 rebounds per game https://t.co/dK2iIAdBuY pic.twitter.com/FaGRO1x1fb
Ven-Allen Lubin is a 6’8 forward who spent four years at four different high-major programs (Notre Dame, UNC, Vanderbilt). Last season, he started all 34 games for the Wolfpack, averaging career-highs of 13.6 ppg and 7.1 rpg, shooting 67% from the field. Lubin produced eight double-doubles, including 24 points and 10 rebounds in overtime against Notre Dame.
With Lubin set to return for the Wolfpack, he gives them a focal point on offense. While he doesn’t space the floor, a lineup with him and Evans will be good both on the boards and providing interior defense. He also gives them a rim-runner to help the guards out on screens.
Assuming that Lubin remains eligible, it’s a sizeable addition to the roster, helping solidify them as a top-half ACC team to watch. They also could be adding another big man, reportedly in the mix to land former Florida center Micah Handlogten. We’ll see whether Lubin prevents that or NC State’s starting frontcourt for next season comes together in August.
Add us as a preferred source on Google