‘No shortcuts’: NC State freshman opts to stay with the program through coaching change
Freshman Paul McNeil announced on social media this weekend his decision to remain with the N.C. State men’s basketball program.
“No transfer. No shortcuts. Just hard work and heart,” McNeil said in his announcement. “For N.C. State. For the fans. For the win.”
McNeil is one of two expected scholarship returners, alongside Trey Parker. Parker has not made an official announcement, but he remains listed on the team’s 2025-26 roster.
The rookie from Rockingham, North Carolina, committed to N.C. State and then-head coach Kevin Keatts in 2023. Keatts was fired last month.
McNeil opted to stay with the program after Will Wade was hired to replace Keatts. He averaged 4.2 points, 1.3 rebounds and a 2.7 assist-to-turnover ratio in his inaugural season.
The freshman found his stride in the final month of play, making 13 straight appearances to end the year and scoring 90 of his 101 points this season during that stretch. He scored at least 10 points in four appearances, including a career-high 24 points in the Wolfpack’s win over Wake Forest on Feb. 22. McNeil shot 4 of 7 from the 3-point line, while adding four rebounds and three assists.
His scoring average jumped to 6.9 points per game and he upped his rebounding to 1.8 per game down the stretch.
“It’s a blessing, man. I’ve had dreams about this. You wake up, and it’s not real. I feel like I really did it. It’s just so shocking,” McNeil said after his career-best performance. “It’s just like, ‘Wow, I can’t believe it.’ I’m really blessed for my teammates who really helped me throughout this whole process, and I want to give them the big shout out.”
Michael O’Connell, now playing professionally in Puerto Rico, said it’s easy to trust McNeil with the ball.
“It sounds cliche, but he works as hard as everyone else on the team,” O’Connell said. “He’s always in gym, he’s always getting reps up, working out with the coaches, managers, or whoever. He’s showing us every day. He proves it every day. For me, it’s pretty easy to put the ball in his hands.”
McNeil entered the program as a four-star recruit, ranked the seventh-best player from the state of North Carolina. He selected the Wolfpack over teams like LSU, Missouri, Clemson, Miami, Alabama and Tennessee.
Wade previously said he met with the team upon his arrival in Raleigh and set up individual meetings with the players to discuss whether they wanted to stay.
Six Wolfpack players entered the transfer portal, with five uncommitted. Wade said players can enter the portal and still return if they believe N.C. State is the best program for their development.
The new coaching staff has added transfers Quadir Copeland and Alyn Breed, both of whom played under Wade at McNeese State.
