ROSTER / PORTAL UPDATE: How is NC State looking to build the back end of their roster?

Ok, it’s been a while since we’ve needed a full-on ‘portal update’ but I think it’s time.

Since we last checked in, NC State has added its key piece, Paul McNeil Jr. Now that the Pack has seemingly locked in their starting 5, they’ll start to build the back end of its roster. That’s what we’ll be focusing on for this update. But before we get into what we’re thinking and hearing, let’s talk about what State has and needs.

PG – Preston Edmead
SG – Christian Hammond
SF – Paul McNeil Jr.
PF – Eemeli Yalaho
C – Kyle Evans

Bench
G – Darius Adams
G-  Kingston Whitty
G/F – RJ Keene
F – Mikey Wilkins

RJ Keene giving you defensive versatility.
That starting 5 could set NC State shooting records, but their metrics leave a lot to be desired on the defensive end. To plug that potential leak, they’ve brought in one of the better (and more versatile) pieces in the portal, RJ Keene. He’s a guy who can play the 2 or the 3 with ease, and could even give you minutes at the 4 in a pinch. He’s not going to be looked to for scoring, but the guy is an absolute lock-down defender who is pretty positionless.

Darius Adams is giving you a change of pace guard who can play 1-3
Speaking of versatility, you have Darius Adams who I think is going to play a bigger role than many expect. His knock was efficiency, and at NC State he’s not going to have nearly as much on his shoulders as he did at Maryland. He’s be asked to handle the ball less, shoot less, and lower his usage. Simply by doing that, you’ll unlock a lot more value. Adams is a guy who can slot in at the point or at the 2, and he gives you a drastically different playing style than Edmead or Hammond. Adams is an elusive, shifty kid who, at 6’5, can get to the rim and create some pressure on the opposing bigs. While Edmead and Hammond are great shooters, they’re not twitchy, contact seekers, and that’s exactly what Adams is.

McNeil is going to be asked to improve his defense and build on his off-the-dribble attack. But at the end of the day, he’s still going to be a high-volume 3-point shooter who is using a ton of energy to get open, and that sometimes zaps him on the defensive end. Both Keene and Adams could fill in here when he needs a break.

Whitty may play a bigger role than you’re expecting…NC State may be done adding rotation-level guards
Backup PG will be touch-and-go at the start. You have Adams, who played a lot with the ball last year, but Gainey, a former PG himself, hand-picked Kingston Whitty (4-star recruit). I’d assume Whitty is more than a project piece, and I believe NC State will give him a shot at winning some rotation minutes this summer. He’s just an all-around solid player. Good handle, good shot, physical player with sneaky athleticism. If there is one place I’m putting a ton of blind trust in Gainey, it’s with his management of the PG position. Gainey played a huge role as a freshman PG, so I’d say it’s safe to assume he didn’t bring Whitty on board to redshirt him. I’m of the belief, based on conversations I’ve had, that NC State won’t target another true rotation piece at guard.

Bigs like Wilkins have more value than people think…FIGHT ME!
Mikey Wilkins is the true wildcard, but I’m pretty bullish on him. He’s a 6’9 big who was the gem of Keatts final class. He’s got great footwork, soft hands, and WAS a big boy. Many fans assumed Keatts started to see the value in a back-to-basketball big after coaching Burns, which led to landing Wilkins. For whatever reason this type of player isn’t celebrated anymore. Wilkins isn’t a shot blocker or a rim protector, but he is a fundamental, skilled big man, and I’ll take one of those any day of the week. Look at what the ‘undersized’ Ven-Allen Lubin brought to NC State last year. You need rim protectors in the ACC, but having a change of pace big like Wilkins is going to pay off.

Yalaho is not getting much hype, but you’ll end up loving him…and yes, he’ll be in Raleigh this year
After speaking to RJ Keene a couple of days ago, I’m sold on Eemeli Yalaho. I think State fans were wanting a 6’10 rim protector at the 4 to start alongside Kyle Evans, but NC State didn’t go that route. For one, those bigs were WAY overpriced in the portal, and secondly, by going with Yalaho, you lean heavier on floor spacing, while still getting a gritty high-motor 6’8 guy.  Keene told me that State fans are going to EY. He’s a dive on a loose ball, do whatever he has to do to win, type player and those always fit well here in Raleigh. Meanwhile, there aren’t many 6’8 forwards who are shooting 40% from 3. There’s a reason teams were trying to poach him before he signed (Calipari, I’m looking at you!). But I’ve spoken now to both RJ Keene and a source on the State side that told me not to worry, Yalaho will be here this season.

Adding some size is next on the list – Keep an eye on 6’9 F Jacob Bannarbie
Kyle Evans is a 6’10 elite shot blocker, but he’s not some massive enforcer in the paint. Because of that, NC State is targeting some meat in the middle. They are hoping to land Jacob Bannarbie from UNLV. He’s on a visit and at 6’9, 235lbs he’d be a great piece to allow the Pack to go big up front. When I say that, I mean, it would allow them to slot Evans and Bannarbie at the 4 and the 5 to give the Pack some nice rim protection on nights that they need it and a backup to Evans on nights they don’t . As a redshirt sophomore this past season with the Runnin’ Rebels, Bannarbie averaged 5.4 points and 4.8 rebounds per game while shooting an efficient 51.9% from the field. He played in 30 games (15 starts), logging 16.3 minutes per contest. His role has steadily grown over time. After redshirting his first season in Las Vegas, Bannarbie saw limited action in Year 2, averaging 6.6 minutes across 19 games before stepping into a more consistent role this past year. Ideally, you’d like a 7-foot monster patrolling the paint, but NC State doesn’t have endless cash, and those 7-footers cost an arm and a leg. NC State was also connected to a couple other bigs over the past week, but I’m hearing those are out of our price range. My focus right now is Bannarbie and if that doesn’t work out, well, we’ll cross that bridge if we come to it.

How will they fill out the rest of the roster?
This is where things will get interesting…and fun. NC State will likely end up with 10 guys after landing the backup big they are targeting (could be Bannarbie if he enjoys his visit). So they will still have roster spots open, and this is where GM Patrick Stacy shines. Remember, Stacy ran JAM! Basketball Intelligence before venturing into the GM world. He used to make a living on finding under-the-radar talent. Now, in 2026, you’re not going to uncover some game-changer, but finding a guy who can give you 5-10 mins per game for super cheap (or free), that would make a big difference. Keep an eye on this, and don’t be surprised if they go overseas to find a guy or two for this role.

Gainey targeting the 2027 BIG DOGS
The Wolfpack hosted 5-star forward CJ Rosser (6’10”, 195 pounds), the No. 1 overall player in the 2027 class, for an unofficial visit this week. Rosser was originally offered by former head coach Will Wade last June, and it’s clear that Justin Gainey and his staff are working to build on those established relationships. Rosser is a from Rocky Mount, NC.  Also, Jordan Page is right down the road at Broughton, and he’s the #9 player in the class. I believe he’s an Adidas guy and playing for former NC State guard Scott Wood. Gainey made a big deal about winning the state of NC in recruiting and he’s got a ton of clout here. He was a product of Greensboro Day HS, played at NC State, and has leveraged those connections throughout his entire career. He’s going big for 2027.