King Gibson, a Top-10 guard in the 2027 class, discusses returning home for the John Wall Holiday Invitational, his relationship with Will Wade and the NC State program, potentially reclassifying to 2026 and more.
RALEIGH, N.C. -- The John Wall Holiday Invitational always has a way of boosting players from all over the country when they show out inside Holliday Gymnasium -- minutes away from NC State campus. However, for national players that return home like King Gibson, the outpouring of love can be even more significant.
The N.C. native is playing his first season with Spire Academy out of Geneva, Ohio, after spending the previous seasons with The Burlington School. The 6-foot-4 combo guard has made a difference this week as a scorer, distributor and pest on the defensive end, leading Spire to the championship game in his return to Raleigh.
"It feels amazing being back in N.C., for real," Gibson said. "Getting to have my family come to the games, seeing them for Christmas was really cool. ... Getting to play in front of coaches from my home state is cool. The've been showing up every day for me and my teammates."
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NC State wide receiver signee Tyreek Copper discusses his record-breaking season, enrolling at NC State next week and more.
Less than seven months ago, record-setting wide receiver signee Tyreek Copper didn't hold a Power Four scholarship offer. In fact, the 6-foot-2, 180-pound Copper had narrowed his recruiting focus to Army and Elon. Copper officially visited the Black Knights June 13 and was slated to check out the Phoenix the following weekend.
However, sandwiched in between was the Wolfpack's team 7-on-7 camp Thursday. At the time, Copper wasn't a State target. But on June 18, 2025, everything changed for the in-state wideout.
"When I went to the camp, I had already planned to go to Elon for an official visit that weekend," Copper said. "I wasn't even going to the camp thinking I was going to ball out and get an NC State offer. I really just went because my team was there and was planning to play how I usually play.
"But coach (Joker) Phillips watched my first game and he told me I was a good player. Then before my next game, he put me through this little catch circuit, and I did pretty well. After that, he said he was going to invite the whole coaching staff down there to watch my last game and I played really well.
"Then I got on the bus to go back home and they called me and told me they wanted to offer me. That feeling was crazy. I was on the bus with my team, so they heard everything, and they all started screaming. Everybody was happy for me. It literally changed my life and I'm forever grateful.”
From there, Copper cancelled his Elon official visit and locked in a return trip to State 48 hours later. Before completing his Wolfpack official visit, Copper committed to State.
"First, it was the family environment," said Tyreek's father, Terrance Copper, who was a standout receiver at ECU and played nine seasons in the NFL. "We also knew a couple of really high-character guys building in (former ECU head coach) Ruff (Ruffin McNeil) and (Associate Director of Strength & Conditioning) Brandon Howard, who was one of my college teammates. So having those familiar faces, and on top of that, the way they treated us when we were there. They treated my family so well and they treated me like I graduated from NC State.
"Everything felt so family-oriented. It just felt perfect. He had a great connection with the players he got a chance to meet. He just fell in love with it and we fell in love with it as well."
After committing to the Pack, Copper didn't rest. Instead, Copper continued to work out relentlessly two and three times per day. That set the stage for Aug. 22, which was Kinston's season-opener against South Central. The Vikings fell to the Falcons, 21-19, but Copper finished with 11 receptions for 219 yards with one touchdown.
Although impressive, Copper's week one performance wasn't shocking, considering he entered his senior season with 171 receptions for over 2,600 yards with 33 touchdowns.
"The crazy thing about it is it didn't just start this year," said Terrance Copper. "Tyreek has always been at the top of his class when we're talking about athleticism and numbers-wise. Even as a sophomore when you put in all his stats, he was top 5 in the state in his class. Then his junior year -- same thing -- No. 1 junior receiver in the state.
"His confidence just continued to build. And the biggest thing I felt like for him is he never felt like he made it. He consistently worked on his game despite all the hype he had or people telling him how good he was. It was never enough. He always put the work in and always wanted to get better. That's one of the biggest reasons for his success. That and his belief in God -- his faith. He was never content and he's not content."
To say the first game of Copper's senior season was foreshadowing would be an understatement. Starting in week 4 of the 2025 season, Copper had eight straight 100-plus-yard games. During that span, he racked up 1,338 yards (167.5 yards per game) receiving and 21 touchdowns.
"I went into every game with the mindset I was trying to score every time I touched the ball," Copper said. "I wasn't settling for first downs or big plays. I was trying to make huge plays and put points on the board with touchdowns.
"That mindset goes back to the offseason and knowing the work I put in before my senior year. I got bigger, stronger and faster. It just gave me the confidence to feel like every time I touched the ball, I could score."
Ultimately, the Kinston standout broke the state record for most receiving yards in a season, finishing with 2,245 yard (second nationally) on 105 receptions, and receiving touchdowns in a season with 33. Not to mention Copper helped guide the Vikings to a state championship appearance.
Despite his accomplishments, Copper was quick to credit others who played major roles in his success, starting with his dad.
"He's been big in my football journey -- mainly because of his intelligence," Copper said. "He would sit down and watch film with me and tell me where I needed to improve. It was really the mental things he taught me that helped bump me up to the next level.
"It was amazing going through all this with him, especially with us making it to the state championship this season, and me accomplishing the things I did individually. It was a dream come true.
The future Wolfpack receiver also appreciates all Kinston head coach Ryan Gieselman did to contribute to his illustrious high school career.
"He's been really big for me," Copper said. "The in-game adjustments were great. A lot of teams were double and triple-teaming me -- and he still found ways to get me the ball and gave me opportunities to make plays. He was really important."
As his son prepares for the next step in his life journey, his father couldn't be prouder.
"I'm very proud of him," Terrance Copper said. "He worked his butt off for it. And with all the accolades he gained this year, he still remains humble. He's still himself. He understands where his help comes from -- and that's God. I'm so proud of him and happy he has this opportunity. When you put the work in that he has, he deserves it."
Copper's just days away from enrolling at NC State, and while it's a new chapter in his life, the talented playmaker's mindset will remain the same.
"If I'm being honest, I'm going in to take somebody's spot," Copper said. "I don't plan on redshirting. I plan on competing for a spot. I believe I have the skillset and speed to play against anybody. The main thing I see is learning the playbook and learning the ins and outs of the offense, so I can get on the field.
"But the main reason I wanted to enroll early was so I could go ahead and get my body used to everything and perform in practice. Again, I want to earn everything."