4-Star SF Cole Cloer talks recruiting while getting into Iowa, NC State, and Tennessee

Cole Cloer is the No. 34 player in the 2026 On3 Industry Ranking. Cloer, the No. 15 small forward in the 2026 On3 150, is entering his sophomore season at Hillsborough (NC) Orange High. As a freshman, he averaged 20.1 points and 3.1 assists on 39 percent shooting from three.

“I feel like I’m versatile,” Cloer told On3. “Whatever coach needs me to do, whatever the team needs me to do I can do it. I bring a lot to the table not just scoring even though that is what shows the best. I see the game well and I have high defensive potential.”

This summer, playing with the Team CP3 program, Cloer averaged 13.7 points while shooting 41.0 percent from three. His team won Nike’s EYBL E15 Peach Jam Championship.

“I’ve gotten bigger, my body matured more,” Cloer said. “I’ve adapted to the physicality of the game a little better. Come from middle school and then going to my freshman year of high school last year, I feel like that has been big for me, and because I’m getting stronger I feel like everything has improved; my intensity, and my mindset for the game.”

On3 caught up with Cole Cloer after a recent live viewing to get an update on his recruitment.

“Tennessee was my most recent offer,” Cloer said. I want to get to Tennessee to see a football game. I want to see Iowa, too. I’ve taken an unofficial to NC State.”

Cloer Talks Recruiting

NC State: “I saw the joy they have for the game there. They love Coach (Kevin) Keatts there. I got to see them practice, and they just bring energy to practices. Even when it’s early morning practices they all seem like they’re having fun.”

Tennessee: “I feel like everybody in Tennessee pulls for Tennessee. There are not many big schools in Tennessee, not like around here (North Carolina) where we have four high majors all within three hours of each other. I feel like Rick Barnes also is a legendary coach, a great coach, and has coached a lot of pros. They are the winningest SEC program in the last several years, so that’s what stands out for me.”

Iowa: “They do a good job at Iowa and they seem like they are really interested in me and like my game. Iowa is also in the Big Ten. The Big Ten is full of huge schools. There aren’t many schools out there in the area, so it’s really just Iowa and Iowa State in the state of Iowa. It seems like most people are really for Iowa in that state. 

“We’re hearing from UNC, I’ve been there a couple of times on unofficials,” Cloer said. Virignia, Notre Dame, Purdue, and Kansas have been in touch with us a little bit. 

In Cloer’s words

“I’m going to be looking closely at fit,” Cloer said. “That’s the biggest thing for me. I won’t be committing to a school but to a coach. I want to play for a coach, in a system, that welcomes me for who I am already, on and off the court.”