Giant NC State Basketball Target Schedules Four Visits Elsewhere
The NC State basketball staff has been in full pursuit of Germantown High School (Miss.) center Sam Funches for roughly a year. He was one of the first 2026 prospects to report an offer from Kevin Keatts and his crew in Raleigh, and Wolfpack coaches have been a common sight at the composite five-star prep's games, including in grassroots action this summer.
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With all of the above in mind, it's somewhat surprising that NC State did not appear on Funches' first reported list of scheduled official visits for his junior year.
On Sunday, Funches told League Ready that he's slated to check out Cal the first weekend of October, Ole Miss the last weekend of October, and Gonzaga in mid-February. Plus, he'll take an unofficial visit to Mississippi State on Oct. 19.
2026 4⭐️ Sam Funches tells @LeagueRDY he’s taking the following official visits:
— 24/7 High School Hoops (@247HSHoops) August 25, 2024
October 4th-6th: California
October 24th-26th: Ole Miss
February 14th-16th: Gonzaga
Funches also plans to take an unofficial visit to Mississippi State on October 19th. #34 in the ESPN60. pic.twitter.com/iJXkH16NEH
Although one could argue the absence of a scheduled NC State basketball visit suggests the Wolfpack recruiters aren't in the lead for Funches' services right now, it's worth noting that it's still extremely early in the 2026 cycle.
Funches, a 6-foot-11, 220-pound budding post force with almost two dozen offers in tow, ranks No. 21 overall and No. 1 among full-fledged centers on the 247Sports 2026 Composite.
NC State's six-deep 2026 offer sheet includes two more heralded 2026 big men in John Marshall High School (Va.) four-star Latrell Allmond and IMG Academy (Fla.) four-star Cody Peck.
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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.