Dillingham made the announcement on Overtime’s IG Live Wednesday afternoon. Here’s some of what he had to say;
On the recruiting process:
“All the schools showed me love and told me different aspects about where I could fit. But only one school could be the one.”
On what he was looking for:
“I wanted to be treated as family, on and off the court. I want them to be happy with me, as much as I am happy with them. Needed to find balance.”
Playing time in college:
“I’m for sure a one-and-done player.”
On Coach Keatts and why State was different:
“Coaching staff there is just different. Keatts is a great coach and a great person. He’s going to take care of me.”
Dillingham’s Talent
Dillingham is a Charlotte, NC native who is currently playing at Donda Academy (yes, it’s Kanye’s school). Up until the last couple of days, most analysts believed he was a Kentucky lock, however, something changed and they all started predicting he’d land with the Wolfpack.
Dillingham is not eligible to go straight into the NBA draft like Jalen Lecque or Josh Hall, two superstar commits who signed on to play at State, but then bypassed college for the pros. However, there are overseas and G-League options that are obviously available.
At this time, however, there is no reason to believe Dillingham will not be suiting up for the Wolfpack in two seasons, and that is great news for Keatts and Co. In fact, this is NC State’s 2nd highest-rated commit of all-time, slightly behind Dennis Smith and tied for 2nd with CJ Leslie.
This kid is elite. He’s got a smooth handle, he’s got NBA level burst, he’s athletic, he finishes at the rim, he can pass and he’s a great shooter. He’s got all the tools and would be a sure-fire starter for Keatts on day 1.
Watching Dillingham on video, you can see just how hard to guard he really is. He’s super shifty, changes direction well initiates contact, and has great body control. He can score on all 3 levels with ease and is known to have good leadership abilities.
What this means for NC State is that Keatts will really have interchangeable parts in the backcourt. You could have Hayes and Dillingham both in the backcourt, both with the ability to score or play the lead guard position and create. You have Terquavion Smith able to step in and play the 2, and you have Breon Pass who would likely be coming off the bench. Add in LJ Thomas, a 3-star recruit, who we love, likely moving away from the point and into more of a scoring guard role where he belongs.
No matter how you slice is, this is HUGE for NC State.
It also should open the flood gates with other recruits, in particular, 6’10 big man (and Wilson, NC native) Brandon White, who is a teammate of Dillingham’s at the Donda Academy.
We’ll have more on this huge commitment coming soon!
NIL has shaken up the college sports world, and now it will be shaking up the high school sports world in North Carolina (NCHSAA), becoming one of 27 states to approve the ability for high school athletes to profit off their Name, Image and Likeness.
This will officially take place beginning July 1.
In order for a student athlete to begin this process, they will have to take a course on NIL, and their parents, coaches and athletic director will as well. Schools and coaches will not be able to represent the student in NIL Deals, and they will also not be allowed to use NIL as a way to draw athletes to their school.
There are restrictions on what student athletes can profit off of though.
The NCHSAA will prohibit student-athletes from entering into NIL deals with products around adult entertainment, alcohol, cannabis, controlled substances, firearms and ammunition, gambling, prescription drugs, as well as tobacco, vaping, and other Nicotine-related products. Athletes cannot affiliate themselves with a specific school, conference, school district, the NCHSAA, or the NFHS through a NIL deal.
ESPN ranks Howard as the #53 overall player nationally in the 2024 recruiting class, and the #3 player in the state of Georgia.
Howard is familiar with NC State, because NC State 2023 signee Trey Parker played with him down at Overtime Elite. In 2022-23, Howard averaged 10.1 points per game, shooting 58.6% from the field.
Check out these pictures of Howard on an unofficial visit to NC State with Parker.
4-Star 2024 Small Forward Jahki Howard (6’7″/180) took an Unofficial Visit to NC State yesterday alongside 4-Star Shooting Guard Paul McNeil, who verbally committed to run with the Wolfpack yesterday.
Howard is ranked as the #51 overall player nationally in the 2024 class by Rivals, and the #4 player in the state of Georgia according to ESPN. Howard plays for Overtime Elite in Atlanta, where 2023 NC State signee Trey Parker plays.
He also holds offers from Georgetown, Georgia Tech, Providence, Auburn, Rutgers, Illinois, Texas A&M, Mississippi St, Wake Forest, Florida, LSU, Ole Miss, Arizona St, Kansas, Georgia, Texas, Tennessee, Arkansas, and others.
As far as I can tell, Howard doesn’t hold an offer from NC State at this point.
Jahki Howard earns Player of the Week honors after a big performance vs. Hillcrest dropping 25 PTS, 8 REB, 5 AST 🚀 @showtime_kipic.twitter.com/yPD5psrm2m
What a day! 4-Star 2024 Shooting Guard Paul McNeil (6’6″/185) wrapped up his Official Visit to NC State today by committing to run with the Wolfpack, after watching them defeat their rival UNC in PNC Arena.
McNeil is the #17 overall player nationally in the 2024 recruiting class according to ESPN, and the #2 player in the state of North Carolina.
In 2022-23, McNeil is averaging 23.9 points, 8.7 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 2.4 steals per game for Richmond High School. Last year, he became the first ever Sophomore to win the Gatorade Player of the Year Award in the state of North Carolina.
McNeil also held offers from Clemson, Indiana, Illinois, Tennessee, Alabama, Miami, Georgetown, St. John’s, LSU, Virginia Tech, Missouri, and others.
