4-star guard Adelaide Jernigan signs with NC State
Four-star guard Adeliade Jernigan, the No. 1 recruit in North Carolina’s 2025 class and NC State women’s basketball’s lone commit, officially wrapped up her recruitment Wednesday when she signed with the Wolfpack.
The sharpshooter from Winston-Salem (N.C.) Bishop McGuinness High, the No. 66 prospect in the country according to ESPN, adds some perimeter scoring pop to the program as one of the state’s most prolific scorers.
Jernigan scored 19 points per game in just 14.7 minutes per contest as a junior. She also grabbed 3.6 rebounds and swiped 1.8 steals per contest last season. The guard has been verbally committed to her in-state program since Oct. 6.
“We’re excited to have Adelaide join the Pack,” head coach Wes Moore said in a press release. “Her ability to score the ball at all three levels and stretch a defense will be a welcoming addition. The work she has put in the past few years makes her more college ready than the average freshman, and I know that same work ethic will continue to raise her game and make us better.”
Position: Guard
School: Winston-Salem (N.C.) Bishop McGuinness High
Height: 5-10
Other offers: Kentucky, Michigan, Louisville, Tennessee, Florida State, Virginia Tech, Iowa
Accolades: Winston-Salem Journal Area Player of the Year, 3-time Northwest Piedmont Conference Player of the Year, 2-time 1A North Carolina State Champion, more than 1,500 career points, Participated in USA women’s U18 national team trials
How Jernigan ended up at NC State
Jernigan’s recruitment came down to three schools— NC State, Kentucky and Michigan. She took visits to all three programs, including an Aug. 29 official with the Wolfpack. The guard is a local recruit and spent plenty of time around the program over the course of her decision-making process.
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“All my grandparents live in North Carolina, so they’d be able to come to the games, and then my parents and friends, so that’s a big plus,” Jernigan said in an August interview with On3’s Talia Goodman. “So I really like that. I just like how they’ve recruited me since eighth grade. They were my first Power Five offer, so I’ve really liked them from day one.”
At one point earlier in the year, it looked like her recruitment was a battle between the Wolverines and Wolfpack. Michigan hosted her on her final visit Sept. 20-22, and she spent Sept. 6-8 with Kentucky after the Wildcats worked their way back into contention.
Jernigan officially announced her decision the first week of October.
Why Jernigan picked NC State
After Jernigan’s official visit with the Pack, which went well according to a source, the staff stayed in frequent contact with the four-star guard. Moore and assistant Ashley Williams visited one of her Tennis matches this fall, and then the volume-scoring senior hosted them for an in-home visit just a couple of weeks before her decision.
“I just felt at home,” Jernigan told On3. “I had always preached that I wanted a family atmosphere and they had the best atmosphere for that. With the team, they all just really were so close to each other, and the coaching staff all made me feel so welcome. When they came to my home visit, we just had wonderful conversations. It was different. The family atmosphere really was strong and I think, obviously, playing in front of my family and friends is another thing that is just such a perk.”
