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Will Wade takes shot at UNC, Hubert Davis over Ven Allen Lubin: 'The other school was too dumb to play him'

Grant Grubbs Profile Pictureby:Grant Grubbs•06/15/25•

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Will Wade
Eric Canha-Imagn Images

On June 1, former North Carolina forward Ven-Allen Lubin shocked Tar Heels fans when he committed to one of the team’s in-state rivals, NC State. New NC State head coach Will Wade only added fuel to the fire when he poked fun at UNC while discussing Lubin in a video that recently surfaced online.

“The other school was too dumb to play him,” Wade said. “When [Lubin] plays 28-plus minutes — he’s done that in 23 games — he averages 15 [points] and eight [rebounds]. I don’t know why the hell they didn’t play him but we’re gonna play him, so he’s gonna average 15 and eight.”

North Carolina only played Lubin 28 or more minutes in five games at UNC last season. It was the 6-foot-8 forward’s first and only season with the Tar Heels.

Lubin averaged 8.7 points and 5.5 rebounds per game while shooting an efficient 68.4% from the field. Lubin’s numbers increased when he saw more time on the floor.

In North Carolina’s loss against Duke in the ACC Tournament Championship, Lubin tallied 20 points and 10 rebounds on 8-11 shooting in a season-high 34 minutes of action. Lubin was the No. 69 overall player and No. 20 small forward in On3’s 2025 Transfer Portal Player Rankings.

Before transferring to North Carolina, Lubin spent one season at Vanderbilt and one at Notre Dame. His 2024-24 campaign at Vanderbilt was his career-best. He averaged 12.3 points and 6.3 rebounds in — ironically — 28.3 minutes per game.

In short, NC State fans can expect to see Lubin get plenty of action in the upcoming season under Will Wade. Lubin will be far from the only fresh face on the Wolfpack’s roster.

NC State added eight players via the transfer portal this offseason. The group includes several standouts, including Darrion Williams, Terrance Arceneaux and Tre Holloman.

NC State is expected to be one of the best teams in the ACC in the 2024-25 season. After all, Wade has had no trouble finding success in his debut campaigns at other programs previously.

In the 2023-24 season at McNeese State, his first with the program, Wade led the Cowboys to a 22-2 overall record, a regular-season conference title, a conference tournament championship and an NCAA Tournament appearance. The 42-year-old head coach is determined to lead NC State to even greater heights.

“I am beyond excited and honored to be chosen to lead the Wolfpack basketball program,” Wade said in a statement. “NC State’s rich tradition, passionate fan base, and location in one of the best cities in the country make this a destination job and I can’t wait to get started.”