NC State’s Final Four run helped change its perception among recruits 

Shortly before NC State’s Elite Eight matchup with Duke, then-Wolfpack assistant coach Joel Justus pointed out an obvious change in recruiting the transfer portal: more players were interested. “It’s a little bit easier to get return phone calls,” Justus said at the time. “And when you call someone, they’re answering.” While Justus is now at Ohio State as the Buckeyes’ associate head coach, and the Pack has the No. 12 transfer portal class in the country, that sentiment is not confined to those looking for a new home at the collegiate level. It also is true for players around the country that hold NC State offers — it piqued their interest, too.