Ven-Allen Lubin returns to NC State. He could go ‘5 for 5’ in more ways than one

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Much has been made about Paul McNeil’s return to N.C. State men’s basketball. He will play for his third head coach in as many years, but on Saturday the program announced the return of another fan favorite.

Graduate student Ven-Allen Lubin has re-signed with the Wolfpack for a fifth season, a move the program was working on for weeks behind the scenes.

Lubin is a member of the Class of 2022, which is involved in state and federal lawsuits against the NCAA. The federal suit requested a fifth year of eligibility for players in the class, stating the players who were seniors this past spring — who played all four years — would qualify for the “5 for 5” rule had their class not been intentionally excluded by the NCAA. The lawsuits state that classes before them received a Covid year and those immediately after them will receive the fifth season.

Judge Charlotte Sweeney, in the Colorado-based federal lawsuit Wisne v. NCAA, has granted players like Lubin the fifth year. The NCAA has requested a stay to the preliminary injunction pending appeal, but Sweeney denied the motion. NCAA President Charlie Baker has sought help from Congress and requested the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals consolidate its lawsuits.

Lubin is also a plaintiff in a North Carolina lawsuit, which will be handled by the state business court.

Pending any changes to his eligibility, Lubin joins McNeil in not only playing for three coaches in three seasons but, fittingly, five in five.

He first played at Notre Dame, Vanderbilt and North Carolina before joining N.C. State a year ago. Mike Brey retired after Lubin’s first season at Notre Dame. Vanderbilt fired Jerry Stackhouse after his sophomore season. Lubin felt like he was ill-utilized at Carolina under Hubert Davis, then Will Wade dipped after one season in Raleigh. This will be the first time Lubin has been at a program for consecutive seasons, even if Justin Gainey is now over the Wolfpack.

Lubin entered the transfer portal after Wade’s departure, a move in anticipation of the “5 for 5” rule. He reportedly received interest from Georgia, Tennessee, Xavier and Oklahoma, while N.C. State wanted to bring him back.

The 6-9 big man adds depth to the frontcourt, which features newcomers Eemeli Yalaho, Kyle Evans and Robert Jurkovic. Returner Zymicah Wilkins is also part of the mix. RJ Keene and Comeh Emuobor can play a hybrid guard/forward role, though they are likely to play at the 3 spot. The team has 14 of 15 roster spots filled.

Lubin averaged 13.6 points and 7.1 rebounds per game last season. He led the league in field goal shooting percentage (.668) and finished third in the nation. He reached double figures in 27 appearances, including 13 straight. Lubin reached 20 points in five of his 34 games.

This story was originally published August 15, 2026 at 6:24 PM with the headline “Ven-Allen Lubin returns to NC State. He could go ‘5 for 5’ in more ways than one.”