Roster Reset: Where each NC State men’s basketball player stands prior to the transfer portal window

By Noah Fleichman

NC State men’s basketball isn’t playing in the ACC Tournament this week, a first in the conference’s history that teams weren’t invited. But with the expansion of the league, three squads were left home from Charlotte. The reigning champs just happened to be one of them. 

Missing the tournament seemed to be the nail in the coffin for Wolfpack coach Kevin Keatts’ future in Raleigh, and he was fired on Sunday morning. With that move, the transfer portal is open for the Pack’s roster, even though it doesn’t officially start until March 24 for the rest of Division I. 

With that being said, the Wolfpack has yet to have any player announce their intention to enter the portal as of Tuesday morning. NC State is working to hire a new coach, and some of the players might be waiting to see who it is before opting to leave. 

This is a look at the Pack’s current scholarship players entering the 2025-26 season and what their roles would look like if they stayed in Raleigh. 

Core pieces: Marcus Hill, Paul McNeil, Trey Parker

This is the group of players who, if they all stay, will be able to provide stability to the new Wolfpack roster.

Hill, NC State’s leading scorer, will utilize his JUCO waiver to return to college for a fifth season. He said that he expected to be back with the Pack after the senior night festivities. The former Bowling Green transfer averaged 11.5 points with 3.9 rebounds on 45.3 percent shooting as a driving guard. He expects to work on his outside shooting to present more of a threat from deep after he turned in a 20.5 percent clip from three-point range this past season. 

McNeil, meanwhile, emerged as the season progressed. The rising sophomore received a bigger role over the last eight games, which included three double-figure scoring efforts. McNeil turned in a season-best 24 points on 8-of-13 shooting in the Pack’s 85-73 win over Wake Forest on Feb. 22. He showed his elite offensive prowess, knocking down shot after shot with four made three-pointers in the victory. The Rockingham, N.C., native has mentioned he enjoys playing in his home state and could become a fan favorite in the years to come. McNeil projects to play a key role — either as a starting wing or a sixth-man — next season if he elects to stay with the Pack. 

Finally, rounding out this group, Parker is more of a wild card. He was Keatts’ most-used freshman this season with 11.9 minutes a game, while he proved to be learning how to be a collegiate point guard. Parker averaged 4.6 points with 1.1 assists and 1 turnover a game. If he’s back in Raleigh, the new coach will likely look to develop him. He could become a starting point guard, but I’d expect the portal to be used to find an experienced one with Parker serving as NC State’s primary backup in 2025-26.

Role players: Bryce Heard, Dennis Parker Jr.,  Ismaël Diouf

The members of this group would be the strengths of the bench, depending on how the future transfer portal additions are able to make an impact this summer.

Heard, who reclassified to join the Pack a year earlier than expected, played solid defense in the limited minutes he saw on the floor. He projects to earn a slightly bigger role next season, which could allow for his scoring to follow. Heard posted a season-high 8 points in the season opener and he only logged 20 more total for the rest of the season.

Parker was one of the Pack’s reserve wings this past season, serving as Dontrez Styles’ backup for most of the year. His numbers dropped from his freshman year, where he had a starting role for the nonconference, and he averaged just 2.9 points with 2.3 rebounds this past season. Parker would likely serve in this same role again, depending on transfer portal arrivals in the coming months. 

Rounding out this group is Diouf, the Canadian forward who played out of position at the five this past year. He’s a natural four-man, but was forced to play center since the Pack lacked true depth at the position. If he stays, I’d expect the new coach to move him back to the four, allowing for a true center — or two or three — to come in from the transfer portal. Diouf is likely coming off the bench for his senior season.  

To be determined: RJ Greer, Zymicah Wilkins

NC State’s incoming freshmen are two unknowns in this whole equation. Wilkins, a top-70 recruit, and Greer both signed with the understanding that Keatts would be their coach next season. That, obviously, won’t be the case now. 

Greer told me that he was shocked by Keatts’ firing and didn’t see it coming. He added that he has yet to make a decision on whether he wants to look elsewhere to play college basketball. The new hire is likely what will make or break that decision. 

Wilkins is a solid post player who has the ability to score and rebound, but is also an excellent passer. There is so much DJ Burns in his game. It’ll be interesting to see how the new coach uses him, and whether he sticks at NC State.

Other notes

Current available scholarships: 4

This number will likely grow. The new coach will have an arsenal of NIL funds to deploy in the transfer portal, looking to build an immediate contender in the ACC. Just look at what Louisville did this past season under first-year head man Pat Kelsey, the league’s coach of the year. 

Out of eligibility: Dontrez Styles, Jayden Taylor, Ben Middlebrooks, Brandon Huntley-Hatfield, Michael O’Connell, Breon Pass