Elite Recruit Thanks NC State Basketball Coach for Stopping By

NC State basketball assistant Levi Watkins visited a five-star Arkansas prep who is slated to be in Raleigh later this month.
NC State basketball
NC State basketball / Nell Redmond-Imagn Images

Third-year NC State basketball recruiting ace and 2001-05 Wolfpack forward Levi Watkins was in Arkansas on Monday to check in on a Little Rock Christian Academy standout junior in prime Wolfpack target JJ Andrews.

ALSO READ: Kevin Keatts Pops By for Huge NC State Target

The 6-foot-6, 220-pound Andrews, a five-star prospect who ranks No. 18 overall, No. 5 among shooting guards, and No. 1 in Arkansas on the 247Sports 2026 Composite, posted the following photo from Watkins' visit:

Eighth-year NC State basketball head coach Kevin Keatts and his staff entered the JJ Andrews sweepstakes with an offer back in June. And a few weeks ago, the son of former two-time NFL Pro Bowl offensive lineman Shawn Andrews announced plans to visit the Wolfpack. He'll be in Raleigh for an official visit Sept. 27-29.

Andrews, a physically imposing wing already boasting almost a dozen offers, is gearing up to head to Missouri for a campus tour with the Tigers this weekend, marking the first official visit in his recruitment. He's also locked in official visits to his father's alma mater in home-state hopeful Arkansas, Oct. 18-20, and LSU, Nov. 8-10.

NC State has early offers out to a handful of recruits on the 2026 trail. Thus far, though, JJ Andrews is the only guard on that wishlist.

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Matt Giles

MATT GILES

Matt Giles is the editor and publisher of NC State Wolfpack on SI, Duke Blue Devils on SI, and North Carolina Tar Heels on SI, making him a key source for comprehensive coverage of these storied college basketball programs. Since joining NC State Wolfpack on SI in 2024, Matt has been dedicated to providing in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive content on all three teams. He covers everything from game previews and recaps to player profiles and recruiting updates. Matt's expert knowledge of these teams has made his work a go-to resource for fans and followers of Duke, NC State, and UNC. As publisher, he shapes the editorial direction, ensuring that the most relevant and timely information reaches his audience.