The 2023-24 College Basketball season has come to a close, and NC State fans are riding high after the Wolfpack’s miraculous run to the Final Four.
The Wolfpack will certainly have players transfer out, and others transfer in, but one player we know will be in Raleigh next year is 4-Star 2024 Small Forward Paul McNeil (6’7”/185).
McNeil verbally committed to run with the Wolfpack on February 19th of last year.
ON3 ranks McNeil as the #49 overall player in the 2024 recruiting class, the #15 Small Forward, and the #6 player on the state of NC.
As a Senior at Richmond (Rockingham, NC), McNeil averaged 31.7 points, 9.5 rebounds, 4.9 assists and 2.6 assists per game.
He led them to the semifinals of the NCHSAA 4A State Playoffs, losing to #1 seed New Hanover 55-53.
On January 16th, McNeil scored 71 points in Richmond’s 118-52 win over Lee County, breaking the state record for points scored in a single game that had stood for the past 74 years.
For his career, McNeil scored 2,429 points, which ranks 14th in the history of High School basketball in the state of North Carolina.
McNeil is an absolute bucket, and his stroke from beyond the arc is impressive, making 40% this season. As a Senior this year, McNeil made 110 three-pointers in 30 games. For perspective, DJ Horne just broke NC State’s single-season record, making 105 in 40 games.
To be quite honest, we have no idea what the roster is going to look like come next season, but if the season were to start today, with the players that can return, I wouldn’t be surprised to see McNeil in the starting lineup at the 2 or the 3. If he doesn’t start, he will be an impact player. He’s too good not to be a significant contributor.
PackPride.com says: “Quite simply, the 2023-24 team changed the entire trajectory of the Wolfpack program with trophies, nets and banners no one can ever take away”. This is not a given until proven next season. One freak year does not change trajectory unless it is followed by a similar response again. Waiting for next year and the transfer portal results.
wolfpack74
1 month ago
Can he play defense? That is the question. I can see Woods and Pass transferring. Hopefully MJ Rice and Ross stays and contributes. That would leave three more transfers to fill in the gaps.
Nelson was only at UMASS for 1 season under Frank Martin. Prior to that, Nelson was the Head Coach at Holy Cross for 4 seasons, posting a 27-84 record.
Prior to taking the Head Coaching mantle at Holy Cross, Nelson was at Marquette for 5 seasons, spending the first 3 as an Assistant Coach, and the final two as an Associate Head Coach. Prior to Marquette, Nelson also served as an Assistant Coach at Ball St., Drake, Arkansas and Marshall.
Before coaching basketball, Nelson played for the University of Florida from 1999-2003. He was All-SEC twice, and earned Third Team All-American honors. When he left Gainesville, he was the Gators’ all-time leader in three pointers made, and ranked 2nd in steals.
As a Senior in High School, Nelson was a McDonald’s All-American.
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…
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.
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
PackPride.com says: “Quite simply, the 2023-24 team changed the entire trajectory of the Wolfpack program with trophies, nets and banners no one can ever take away”. This is not a given until proven next season. One freak year does not change trajectory unless it is followed by a similar response again. Waiting for next year and the transfer portal results.
Can he play defense? That is the question. I can see Woods and Pass transferring. Hopefully MJ Rice and Ross stays and contributes. That would leave three more transfers to fill in the gaps.