NC State men’s basketball roster is nearly complete. Where does it stand?

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The N.C. State men’s basketball lost nearly its entire roster four and a half months ago, both from graduation and Will Wade’s abrupt return to LSU.

A little over two months from the season, the Wolfpack has a full roster with at least one backup at each position and flexibility in its lineup.

N.C. State is not officially done with the roster. It has a pair of scholarships still available and, according to a source within the program, would like Ven-Allen Lubin to return. Lubin is a plaintiff in a lawsuit against the NCAA and a member of the Class of 2022, featured in a federal lawsuit, regarding the “5-for-5.”

The staff is reportedly still pursuing Micah Handlogten, a Florida transfer, as an alternative in the frontcourt. N.C. State is among his top three options, CBS Sports’ Jon Rothstein reported this week.

Head coach Justin Gainey, as it stands, compiled a roster that ranks No. 5 in the ACC on the 247 Sports transfer portal rankings. It ranks No. 11 in the ACC for the combined transfer and recruiting rankings.

While the team ranks lower than it did at this time last year, everyone saw how last winter ended up — with the Pack making the NCAA Tournament. Gainey has focused on fit and, when possible, a long-term commitment to the program. His strategy may not pop off the paper, but fans will be pleased if it helps N.C. State avoid losing eight of its last 10 games and narrowly squeaking into the First Four.

Guard: Christian Hammond

Guard: Preston Edmead

Guard/Forward: Paul McNeil

Forward: Eemeli Yalaho

Center: Kyle Evans

The Wolfpack doesn’t have any major stars on the roster — except, probably, Paul McNeil — at least according to recruiting sites.

But it has depth and the ability to move players around in the lineup. It had limited options last season due to injuries and redshirts, significantly reducing how much movement and versatility it had with its rotations.

It added international forward Robert Jurkovic at the end of May and junior college transfer Shah Hall in mid-June.

“I feel a lot better about it,” Gainey said last month during a press conference. “Adding two more pieces, adding depth to (the frontcourt) — both of those guys bring something that we didn’t have. … “Adding those two guys gives us five guys that we can play with down there. That makes me feel a lot better than I did.”

Gainey said Hall brings athleticism and movement that other teammates don’t possess and Jurkovic’s international experience should be an asset to the program.

The Wolfpack will likely rely on Evans and Washington State transfer Eemeli Yalaho as its starters, but Hall, Jurkovic and returner Zymicah Wilkins may rotate in the frontcourt.

RJ Keene and Comeh Emuobor both possess size and length that could lend itself to playing at the three spot. McNeil played as the small forward for much of last season, but he can also slip into the shooting guard role.

N.C. State should have opportunities to move pieces around based on health and matchups that it didn’t always have a year ago.

CBS Sports basketball writer Isaac Trotter noted the heavy focus on mid-major recruiting and questioned this group’s ability to penetrate the post and create pressure.

Trotter believes the Wolfpack will be a bubble team for the second year in a row, based on concerns about skill on both ends of the floor.

“Gainey is a well-respected defensive coach who has the personnel to be OK,” Trotter wrote. “I’d expect N.C. State to try to funnel everything toward shot-swatting big man Kyle Evans and hope one of the best shot-blockers in the nation can keep doing his thing.

“N.C. State will be competent. Nothing more, nothing less.”

Trotter’s assessment, however, came at the beginning of June and did not include the addition of Hall nor the expected addition of at least another big.

This story was originally published August 13, 2026 at 5:30 AM with the headline “NC State men’s basketball roster is nearly complete. Where does it stand?.”