Surrounded by around 100 N.C. State fans and boosters, North Carolina basketball prospect Cole Cloer announced Saturday that he will begin his collegiate hoops career with the Wolfpack.
Cloer, an IMG Academy senior from Hillsborough, announced his commitment to N.C. State and head coach Will Wade at an NIL event in Raleigh. Cloer is a four-star recruit, according to Rivals, 247Sports and ESPN rankings.
“This is a dream come true,” Cloer said, telling attendees he decided 13 days ago. “This is something you always fantasize about as a kid; playing for your hometown, playing against the Dukes, playing against the Carolinas, playing in the ACC.”
Cole Cloer officially commits to NC State, picking the Wolfpack over UNC, Florida, Alabama and UConn pic.twitter.com/LVyL1ynx6K
— Jadyn Watson-Fisher (@jwatsonfisher) October 4, 2025
Cloer is listed as a 6-7, 195-pound small forward. Scouts say his shooting efficiency at multiple levels and his height could give him an opportunity to contribute on a roster quickly.
Picking the Wolfpack
Cloer selected the Wolfpack over UNC, Connecticut, Alabama and Florida. The incoming commit took his official visit to Raleigh in August, before visiting Alabama and Florida last month. Cloer received 26 offers from schools including Kentucky, Kansas, Arkansas, Ohio State, Oregon, Wake Forest and Tennessee. Cloer was expected to take an official visit to North Carolina this weekend, but canceled last week.
“Duke and North Carolina have run [the Triangle] for the last little bit, but before that, it was N.C. State,” Cloer said. “I think N.C. State is on its way back to that. We don’t see Duke and North Carolina as anything other than another ACC game that we’re supposed to win. They’re not any better than we are.”
He is now the second player in the Class of 2026 to announce his commitment. N.C. State secured the commitment of Trevon Carter-Givens, a 6-11 four-star center out of California, in September.
Cloer has been a major target for N.C. State since he was a freshman. Former assistant Joel Justus, now at Ohio State, was Cloer’s primary recruiter when Justus was on Kevin Keatts’ staff. N.C. State remained in his top schools after Wade was hired, and connected with the new staff.
“The coaching staff here is second to none. They’re an elite staff. We’re in the best conference in the country, and it’s on its way back to that.” Cloer said. “N.C. State is on the way back to where it should be. The Red Reckoning with Coach Wade is something that everybody wants to see. It’s gonna make noise across the country. It’s gonna wake a lot of people up.
“I think the goal for me is always, again, to be a pro basketball player, so, I think, lining this school up, compared to other four schools, just a place for me.”
Plenty of NC State ties
The 2026 prospect has several ties to N.C. State and the Triangle region.
His father, Scott, attended East Carolina and grew up an N.C State fan. His mother, Kristal, attended UNC for undergraduate and postgraduate studies.
Cloer is the youngest of four children. His older brothers, Graham and Garrett Cloer, are close friends with Payton and Bryse Wilson. Payton Wilson is a former N.C. State standout linebacker now with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Bryse Wilson is a pitcher with the Milwaukee Brewers. is close friends with Payton Wilson. Cloer’s sister, Sierra, is a local nurse.
Prior to committing, Cole Cloer said he spoke with Payton Wilson about attending school at N.C. State.
Cloer began his high school career at Orange High School in Hillsborough. He then transferred to Caldwell Academy in Greensboro, where he averaged 18.9 points, 7.2 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game.
Last December, Cloer helped the Eagles pick up a 64-53 win in the 2024 John Wall Holiday Invitational quarterfinals. He scored 16 points, including 13 in the second half, to lead all players. Then, he helped the team win the N.C. Independent Schools Athletic Association Class 2A state championship.
Always improving
Cloer then helped his CP3 AAU basketball team to a 98-80 win in April over Drifty Elite in the Phenom Hoops Grassroots Tip-Off Classic. Drifty Elite’s roster included five of the state’s Top 10 players, including now-N.C. State freshman Zymicah Wilkins, while the CP3 team featured four of the remaining Top 10 players.
“Cole has gotten better and better every year,” CP3 coach Jon Adams said at the time. “When you get that bullseye on your back, you’ve got to be ready every time you step on the court. He understands that and he keeps working and working. It’s the same for our team.”
Additionally, Cloer participated in the NBPA Top 100 camp in Rock Hill, South Carolina, where the top recruits perform in front of NCAA scouts and coaches. He was also invited to participate in the USA U19 national team training camp.
Cloer transferred to IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, ahead of his senior season. Recent alumni from the school include Zach Edey (Purdue/Memphis Grizzlies), Armando Bacot (North Carolina/Basketbol Süper Ligi in Turkey), Keyonte George (Baylor/Utah Jazz) and Mark Williams (Duke/Phoenix Suns).