RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) – It’s a new era for the North Carolina State men’s basketball program.
Weeks after being officially introduced as the Wolfpack’s head coach, Will Wade has been hard at work putting together a roster for the 2025-26 season. He replaces former coach Kevin Keatts, who was fired after N.C. State finished with a disappointing 12-19 record and failed to qualify for the ACC Tournament.
The vast majority of last year’s team under Keatts has entered their names into the transfer portal.
Marcus Hill, the Wolfpack’s leading scorer, compiled 11.5 points per game in his first season in Raleigh. He’s back in the portal after initially transferring to N.C. State from Bowling Green.
Ben Middlebrooks, a major piece of the Wolfpack’s improbable 2024 Final Four run, already revealed his intentions to transfer. The 6-foot-10 big man averaged 7.5 points and 4.2 rebounds this past season.
Other portal additions include freshman guard Bryce Heard, junior forward Ismael Diouf and sophomore forward Dennis Parker Jr. All three saw limited action on the court for N.C. State during the 2024-25 season. Mike James, who redshirted last season due to injury after transferring from Louisville, has also announced his plans to transfer. However, first-year wing Paul McNeil has elected to return to Raleigh for his sophomore campaign.
Wade and his coaching staff are making moves on the recruiting trail, retaining Arden (N.C.) Christ School product and four-star big man Zymicah Wilkins, who signed with the Wolfpack last November.
In early April, the Wolfpack also picked up a commitment from five-star shooting guard Matthew Able, becoming the highest-ranked prospect to choose the Wolfpack in nearly a decade.
Despite the recent momentum, work remains to be done as Wade embarks on rebuilding a program that’s desperate to return to its winning ways. The transfer portal closes on April 24.
Here’s the list of transfers who have already committed to play next season for N.C. State, along with their position, date of commitment and their previous school.
NC State transfer commitments
Alyn Breed, guard – April 2 (McNeese State)
The 6-foot-3 guard became the first commitment of Will Wade’s tenure in Raleigh, transferring from McNeese State to follow his coach and suit up for the Wolfpack. Breed initially began his collegiate career at Providence, where he played for three seasons. He then made the move to McNeese State, averaging 17.5 points over two games before suffering a season-ending injury. He has one year of eligibility left.
Quadir Copeland, guard – April 4 (McNeese State)
Breed isn’t the only player from McNeese heading to N.C. State after 6-foot-6 guard Quadir Copeland chose to play for Wade once again. Copeland started 24 games for the Cowboys last year, compiling 9.2 points, 4.5 assists and 3.3 rebounds per game while shooting 48.8% from the field. During the first round of the NCAA Tournament, he finished with 16 points, seven rebounds, five assists and two steals, helping the Cowboys pull off the upset over No. 5-seeded Clemson. This marks a return to the ACC for Copeland, who played his first two seasons at Syracuse. He has one year of eligibility remaining.