Power Forward Ernest Ross announced this morning that he is returning to NC State for his final year of eligibility.

 

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Last Friday, Ross committed to UTSA after entering the Transfer Portal on April 17th, but it looks like he had a change of heart over the past couple of days.

NC State has been in desperate need to add a Big out of the Portal. They have hosted ECU’s Ezra Ausar and Georgia’s Frank Anselem-Ibe, but neither of them have found a home yet. With the addition of Ross, NC State has added depth in the Frontcourt, and unless something changes, their roster is full with 13 scholarship players.

Ross played in 14 games this past season, averaging 3.4 minutes per contest. After playing in 34 games last season, averaging 11.4 minutes per contest, Ross saw his participation dip to a career low this season, but that didn’t for a second break his infectious personality. On the sideline, you could count on Ross every single game to be the heart and soul of the Wolfpack on the bench. To watch a player who played as little as he did, care as much as he did, makes me super proud that this young man represented NC State so well.

Ross was a consensus 4-star player in NC State’s 2021 recruiting class, with 247Sports ranking him as the #60 overall player nationally. ESPN ranked him as the #5 overall player in the state of Florida.

According to NCAA.com’s Andy Katz, a matchup between NC State and Marquette next season might be in the works.

Love that @CoachShakaSmart doesn’t shy away from big games next season. @MarquetteMBB will play 3 @B1GMBBall teams in Purdue, Wisconsin and likely Maryland. Iowa State is on the schedule and the hope is Marquette could also get a game with NC State. Kam Jones could be @BIGEASTMBB…

— Andy Katz (@TheAndyKatz) May 14, 2024

This past year, the Wolfpack defeated the Golden Eagles 67-58 in the Sweet 16 of the 2024 NCAA Tournament.

NC State and Marquette have played one another 6 times overall, with the Wolfpack holding a 4-2 lead in the series, winning the past two matchups.

The NC State Men’s Basketball Team will be playing in the 2025 Maui Invitational, on November 24-26 in Hawaii. This will mark the first time that NC State has ever played in the Maui Invitational.

NC State will be joined by Baylor, Oregon, Seton Hall, Texas, UNLV, USC and Chaminade.

Heading to Maui for the 2025 Maui Invitational! 🌴#GoPack pic.twitter.com/yE9htqSgT9

— NC State Men’s Basketball (@PackMensBball) May 14, 2024

Maui Invitational 2025 field:

Baylor, NC State, Oregon, Seton Hall, Texas, UNLV, USC, Chaminade.

— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) May 14, 2024

And now your starting lineup for the 2025 Maui Invitational! 🏀🏆🌴@TheAndyKatz reveals the eight premier programs with 156 @MarchMadnessMBB appearances, 19 @MFinalFour‘s and 5 national championships between them coming to the Lahaina Civic Center Nov. 24-26, 2025. pic.twitter.com/dnq94dQfvH

— Maui Invitational (@MauiInv) May 14, 2024

This past week, NC State hosted Georgia Center Transfer Frank Anselem-Ibe (6’10″/215) for an Official Visit. According to Jeff Borzello, Anselem-Ibe is down to NC State, Georgia Tech, Louisville and Wisconsin, and he will be announcing his decision on Tuesday.

Georgia transfer Frank Anselem-Ibe is down to Georgia Tech, Louisville, NC State and Wisconsin, sources told ESPN. He’ll announce his decision on Tuesday. Began his career at Syracuse.

— Jeff Borzello (@jeffborzello) May 10, 2024

Anselem-Ibe was at Georgia the past two seasons, and was at Syracuse the two before that.

Back in 2020, Anselem-Ibe was a 4-Star prospect out of Prolific Prep in Georgia. 247Sports ranked him as the #18 player in the state of Georgia.

Anselem-Ibe hit the Portal on April 30th.

NC State has one scholarship available.