Justin Gainey's NC State Squad Is Loading Up on Mid-Major Talent, and Three Names Just Hit the Radar

Now that his coaching staff is locked in, Justin Gainey is diving headfirst into transfer portal season to rebuild NC State basketball. The Wolfpack took a major hit this offseason, losing most of its production from last season to graduation and the portal after Will Wade's one-and-done tenure ended. But Gainey is not sitting around. He's already getting recruits on campus and hunting for productive players who can compete right now.

Hammond Visit Signals Big Plans

The Pack hosted Santa Clara transfer Christian Hammond for a visit that kicked off Saturday, complete with a trip to watch NC State baseball win at Doak Field at Dail Park. But Hammond is just the start. Three other mid-major targets have reportedly jumped to the top of Gainey's wish list in the last day, and they tell you exactly what the new coach is building: toughness, productivity, and proven winners.

Three Names to Watch

Torey Alston (Middle Tennessee): The Durham, N.C. native held a Zoom meeting with the Wolfpack earlier this week. Alston averaged 13.1 points and 7.9 rebounds last season for Middle Tennessee, helping the Blue Raiders finish 17-15 in Conference-USA. Gainey has been vocal about winning North Carolina in the recruiting battle every year, and adding a productive local player like Alston would establish dominance over in-state talent.

Jimmie Williams (Duquesne): The Atlantic-10 guard is another proven mid-major scorer drawing interest from NC State. Williams averaged 15.1 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1.6 steals per game last season as a junior. He's 6-foot-5, which gives him size at the guard spot, and his defensive numbers are the real appeal. His 33.3% from three-point range is not great, but his interior scoring ability and defense more than make up for it.

Building a Toughness-First Culture

Gainey needs to add frontcourt players to execute his vision for a tough, identity-driven program. By targeting productive mid-major talent with proven track records, he is signaling that pedigree matters less than production and mentality. These three targets fit that blueprint perfectly.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.