RALEIGH, N.C. — Since taking the reins of the NC State basketball program, Will Wade has made waves on the recruiting trail. His efforts are already paying off, with a formidable 2025-26 roster featuring a Top-15 transfer portal class, a five-star 2025 recruit, and a Top-5 portal signee. And the Wolfpack’s momentum is now spilling into the 2026 recruiting cycle.
One of NC State’s latest targets is elite in-state prospect Cole Cloer, who recently announced his Top 8 schools — with the Wolfpack making the cut. Joining NC State on Cloer’s list are Alabama, North Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Virginia, Syracuse, and UConn.
Cloer, a Hillsborough, N.C. native, also revealed plans to transfer to national powerhouse IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla., for his senior year. At IMG, he’ll play alongside a stacked lineup of Top-100 2026 prospects, including Chase Foster (No. 39), Jermal Jones (No. 82), Trey Beamer (No. 87), and fellow North Carolinian Cody Peck (No. 84).
A 6-foot-7 wing, Cloer is ranked No. 24 nationally and No. 9 among small forwards in the 2026 class by 247Sports. He’s also the No. 1 overall prospect in North Carolina — and the only player in the state ranked inside the Top 75.
Cloer has been on NC State’s radar for some time and was back on campus June 25 to meet Wade and his staff in person for the first time. Assistant coach Adam Howard, who joined the program in March, has been a consistent presence in Cloer’s recruitment, building a strong relationship and closely tracking his progress.
In addition to NC State, Cloer has taken unofficial visits to Alabama, UNC, Ohio State, Tennessee, South Carolina, and others. However, his final eight reflects a narrowing focus, with NC State, UNC, and Alabama emerging as key contenders. More visits are expected in the coming months as Cloer inches closer to a decision.
Though the Wolfpack face stiff competition — particularly from Florida, UConn, UNC, and Alabama — they’ve gained considerable ground. Just three months ago, NC State appeared to be on the outside looking in. Now, they’ve earned a legitimate shot and remain firmly in the hunt as Cloer’s recruitment heats up.
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