To think, just a month ago we were hearing a lot of questions about Mark Gottfried. After the Martin twins transferred and news spread that Abu was contemplating leaving, some wondered if the Pack would even put a competitive team on the floor in 2016. They wondered if Gottfried really had what it takes to turn this team around for good.

Today there is a much different tone. Over the past month NC State went from questionable to serious contender. It all started when Abu made it known that he would be returning for his junior year. The bouncy forward was always going to be a key piece for State if they were to make a serious run in the ACC this season, but even with Abu NC State was going to need more pieces. That is when Gottfried somehow pulled off adding Omer Yurtseven. The Turkish big man is a 5 star talent who many think is going to be one and done. He immediately slots in at a high end scoring option and NC State’s starting center.

Those two moves has NC State’s starting 5 looking very dangerous. Dennis Smith Jr, Terry Henderson, Torin Dorn (or Mav Rowan), Abu and Yurtseven. But five or 6 players is not going to win you the ACC. Gottfried was still lacking a backup PG and a backup forward and it looked like they may not be able to land high caliber players at those positions for 2016-17. However, things might be changing on that front.

PG Markell Johnson from Cleveland who was originally slated to be a 2017 recruit has reclassified and rumor is that he’s favoring NC State. With the NBPA going on, news on Johnson will likely be easy to come by over the next day or two. We’ll keep you updated.

Markell Johnson Crystal Ball:
42% – NC State
33% – Louisville
8% – Xavier
8% – Virginia Tech
8% – Texas A&M

— College Basketball (@cbblatest) June 17, 2016

If State were to land Johnson it would be huge. This is a kid who is probably not ready to lead a team at this point in his development, but he’s very close. The tools are all there in abundance and a year as a backup behind Dennis Smith Jr will be very beneficial and likely have him ready by his sophomore season.

If the Pack could have a backup PG committed, it would then come down to finding a backup at forward. Normally Lenard Freeman would be your man, but Nard might be looking at a red shirt year with his leg injury. This leave the Pack in a spot where they need to get some depth. Enter Ted Kapita.

Ted Kapita is a beastly body that could fill in nicely as a backup to Abu. He’s a 6’9, 245 machine. He recently decommitted from SMU and is on NC State’s campus today for an official visit.

4???? Ted Kapita is currently on an official visit to N.C. State, per source. Malik Newman & Markell Johnson visited NCSU recently #wolfpack

— Andrew Slater (@ASlater247) June 17, 2016

He might not be the most athletic big you’ve ever seen, and his footwork and touch aren’t super polished, but he’s a guy who given a season or two could be a major factor in the paint for NC State. We’ll keep tabs on the situation as it is currently unfolding.