NC State Basketball Lands First 2027 Commit, Cracks 4-Star's Top Five

Head coach Justin Gainey is active on the recruiting trail, as he picked up his first high school commit and he may be closing in another.

Tennessee associate basketball coach Justin Gainey tells players to sub in during an NCAA college basketball game against Gardner-Webb on Dec. 21, 2025, in Knoxville, Tennessee. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Head coach Justin Gainey isn’t wasting time building his inaugural high school recruiting class at NC State. On Monday, the Wolfpack secured their first commitment in the class of 2027: forward Jamil Robinson. Hours later, they cracked the top five of four-star wing Markus Kerr. 

2027 three-star big Jamil Robinson commits to NC State

NEWS: Jamil Robinson, a 6-foot-11 power forward in the 2027 class, has committed to NC State, he told @Rivals. https://t.co/5obpz6sve3 pic.twitter.com/rFqpZDfQCU

— Joe Tipton (@JoeTipton) August 10, 2026

After NC State became the first high-major program to offer Robinson back in late July, the 6-foot-11 big man immediately leapt at the opportunity, committing to the Wolfpack less than three weeks later. 

Robinson attends hoops powerhouse Eagle’s Landing Christian Academy in Georgia.

For his AAU hoops, he spent the tail-end of this last season playing with Jet Academy on the prestigious Nike EYBL Circuit. Robinson played sparingly, but his best outing came in his final contest, in which he registered 10 points (including a triple), six rebounds and two steals.

He appears to be a high-upside addition for NC State. At just 205 pounds, Robinson clearly needs to add bulk to his frame. But with his size, length and the shooting potential he has flashed, Robinson has notable potential. 

NC State basketball makes top five for four-star small forward Markus Kerr

4⭐️ Markus Kerr is down to five schools, agent Nate Conley of Court XIV told @Rivals.

The 6-6 small forward and top-70 overall recruit in the 2027 class has scheduled his first official visit: https://t.co/Y6PURxcRkM pic.twitter.com/I2MQBFFusw

— Joe Tipton (@JoeTipton) August 11, 2026

On Monday, Kerr, who is rated as the No. 70 player in the country (per 247 Sports’ composite rankings), released his top five, and the Wolfpack made the cut, along with Maryland, Xavier, Tennessee and Baylor. Kerr holds 23 offers. The interesting part: he doesn’t hold one from NC State. 

Evidently, though, there is interest from both parties – and there certainly should be from NC State. Kerr is a bona fide three-level scorer. He is a capable shooter from deep (especially with enough space) and is crafty in the midrange. Kerr can get to pull-ups off hop steps or spin-fades from around 15 feet – or he can get all the way to the rack.

Kerr is athletic and has burst, but is an excellent probing driver. He waits for his driving lane to open – and then attacks. He can finish going in either direction and doesn’t shy away from contact. Kerr, unsurprisingly, is also great in transition. 

He projects to the high-major level as a slashing wing with the ability to keep opponents honest as a shooter. On defense, with Kerr’s size and athleticism, he has a chance to blossom into a very effective defender. At the very least, he’ll be able to hold his own and offer additional value as a plus rebounder at his position.