First-year NC State basketball head coach Will Wade and his staff extended a scholarship offer to Finnish wing Jayme Kontuniemi in late April, then hosted him for an official visit to Raleigh earlier this month. That recruitment effort paid off last weekend when Kontuniemi announced his commitment to the Wolfpack. As of Friday, that commitment is official.
Kontuniemi becomes the 11th addition to Wade’s rapidly reloading roster, a mix of high school recruits and transfer portal talent for the 2025 season.
A standout for the 2023 Finnish U18 National Team, Kontuniemi has steadily elevated his game. Most recently, he helped lead Drive Academy (Finland) to a perfect 12-0 record and the EYBL U20 championship for the 2024-25 season.
“Jayme has a lot of untapped potential that we’re eager to develop,” head coach Will Wade said in the school’s press release about the 6-foot-4, 205-pound incoming freshman. “He’s a hard worker, a true competitor, and most importantly, he’s got a desire to win.
“He’s excited and grateful for the opportunity, and we’re just as excited to welcome him into our program.”
Unrated and unranked by major recruiting services due to spending his prep career overseas, Jayme Kontuniemi may not be the flashiest addition to Will Wade’s first NC State roster. However, as Wade hinted, the long-term impact of the Finnish wing could be significant for the program.
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