NC State men’s basketball announces pair of signees

NC State men’s basketball coach Kevin Keatts announced the additions of incoming freshmen Paul McNeil and Trey Parker on Tuesday morning. 

The Wolfpack signed the No. 26 class in the country and the fifth-best in the ACC, according to the On3 Industry Comparison. McNeil, a small forward, is the No. 59 player nationally, while Parker, a combo guard, checks in at No. 93 in the country. 

McNeil is the Pack’s highest-rated high school signee since it signed Isaiah Miranda, the No. 40 recruit, in 2022. McNeil, a Rockingham, N.C., native was the Gatorade North Carolina Player of the Year in his sophomore campaign at Richmond Senior High School.

The four-star recruit committed to NC State in February over the likes of Clemson, Indiana, Tennessee, Illinois, Alabama and others. 

“I’m really excited to have Paul join our program,” Keatts said of McNeil. “It’s always great to keep great local players from our state. He’s a young man that we targeted the second we could start recruiting him. He fits our program. He’s athletic, highly skilled and a knock down shooter. I think he is going to flourish in our system. Off the floor, he’s a wonderful young man who is a great addition to our locker room.”

McNeil led Richmond to its first state championship appearance since 1997 a year ago as he averaged 24.0 points, 8.7 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 2.2 steals per game. He shot 53% from the field with the Raiders, and knocked down 78 3-pointers in the process. 

Parker, who originally signed with NC State in the class of 2023, went back to Atlanta (Ga.) Overtime Elite for a second season. He was a four-star recruit and scored 12.4 points with 3.5 rebounds and 2.3 assists in his senior season with the City Reapers en route to the OT Elite Championship. 

Before Parker went to OTE, he played his junior season at Vertical Academy in Charlotte and played his sophomore season at New Life Christian Academy in Fayetteville. Parker played his freshman season of basketball at Cape Fear High School, where he averaged 16.2 points, 6.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 3.0 steals per game.

Keatts is excited for Parker to arrive on campus for next season.

“I think Trey is just scratching the surface of what he can become,” Keatts said. “He is an explosive athlete and probably one of the most entertaining high school basketball players out there, but there is a lot more to his game than just flash. He understands the game and he’s equally able to play with or without the ball. He has deep range on his jump shot, but is also shifty enough to create offensive opportunities for himself and others. He is coachable and will put the work in to get better, and I’m excited to get him in our program.”

Scouting the signees

Paul McNeil:

“Paul McNeil is a lengthy wing,” On3’s Jamie Shaw wrote. “He has a natural feel for scoring the ball. McNeil plays with the utmost confidence and is best in the mid-range. He has a slight hitch in his three-point shot that can get him off at times. McNeil lacks explosive burst but can get to his spots, going right. He is a good area rebounder and an active wing defender. McNeil was North Carolina’s first sophomore to win Gatorade Player of the Year.” 

Trey Parker:

“Just go on Youtube and type in Trey Parker Dunk Contest,” Shaw wrote as he called Parker one of the most explosive players in the 2024 class. “You can click on any link that pops up, they will all be the same. He is an acrobat in the air, and he uses his long arms and springy bounce to get high above the rim. While Parker is most known for his dunking, he is more than just that. He is a smooth jump shooter with deep range, and he also has nice vision out of the pick-and-roll. That said, go on Youtube and watch a couple of highlights.”