NC State Basketball Among Most Active for Top North Carolina Recruit
Caldwell Academy (N.C.) forward Cole Cloer, the top-ranked North Carolina prep in the 2026 cycle, picked up an offer from the NC State basketball program on his 16th birthday in September 2023. Kevin Keatts and his crew have been in hot pursuit of the 6-foot-7, 195-pound four-star ever since.
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And Cloer recently listed the Wolfpack among the 12 most active suitors in his recruitment. The others he mentioned to League Ready include three more in-state hopefuls from the ACC in UNC, Duke, and Wake Forest, along with Louisville, Miami, Tennessee, South Carolina, Alabama, LSU, Georgetown, and Ohio State.
2026 Top-20 wing Cole Cloer is one of the more intriguing prospects in the ‘26 class.
— Sam Kayser - 24/7 High School Hoops (@247HSHoops) January 3, 2025
Cloer is a 6-7 wing who can hit shots from all over the floor. A good athlete who can handle the ball, facilitate and guard multiple spots on defense.
He told @LeagueRDY that Georgetown, North… pic.twitter.com/2I1n2moLUe
While the list by no means constitutes his finalists, it's a sign that mutual interest remains between the coaches in Raleigh and Cloer, who grew up in Hillsborough, N.C., before transferring to Caldwell Academy in Greensboro.
Cole Cloer, who visited the Wolfpack and Tar Heels last year, checks in at No. 28 overall and No. 11 among small forwards on the 247Sports 2026 Composite.
2026 Cole Cloer may have had the DUNK OF THE YEAR here at the #PhenomMikeGminski!! #PhenomHoops @Coach_Rick57 @colbylewis20 @POBScout @JeffreyBendel_ @ty1ewis @CoachChrisNC @SportModeOne @mikegminski @colecloerr @Caldwell_Hoops @SLAM_HS @SCNext pic.twitter.com/e4jQ2oNRsG
— Phenom Hoop Report (@Phenom_Hoops) December 21, 2024
He's one of five active NC State basketball targets on the 2026 trail. That wishlist also features Little Rock Christian Academy (Ark.) four-star guard JJ Andrews and three centers in Germantown High School (Miss.) four-star Sam Funches, John Marshall High School (Va.) four-star Latrell Allmond, and IMG Academy (Fla.) four-star Cody Peck.
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Stay tuned to NC State Wolfpack On SI for more NC State basketball recruiting news.
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.