Former Wake Forest Pledge Commits to Wolfpack

Jaylon Gibson, a three-star power forward who re-opened his recruitment when Wake Forest fired coach Danny Manning, has committed to play for NC State

Jaylon Gibson, a three-star power forward who re-opened his recruitment when Wake Forest fired coach Danny Manning, has committed to play for NC State.

Gibson averaged 16 points, 11.1 rebounds and nearly a blocked shot per game in leading Grace Christian School in Cary to a 21-12 record and earning Eastern Plains Independent Conference Player of the Year honors last season.

He will take the roster spot vacated last week when Josh Hall decided to sign with an agent and stay in the NBA draft.

An athletic 6-foot-11 prospect with a long wingspan, Gibson has a solid all-around game and a high ceiling -- though at only 190 pounds, he still needs to add some bulk to his slender frame.

Because he went through a late growth spurt, he has wing skills in a big man's body. Not only can he put the ball on the floor, he's also an effective passer, as evidenced by his average of 2.7 assists per game in 2019-20.

Among the other schools showing interest in him since he was released from his National Letter of Intent two weeks ago include Louisville, Syracuse, Miami, Maryland, Iowa and Houston. 

Although he isn't as polished as the Hall, a five-star prospect, his addition does provide insurance in the event that starting power forward D.J. Funderburk follows the same path as Hall by remaining in the draft.

Gibson will join four other incoming freshmen that have already signed their National Letter of Intents to play for coach Kevin Keatts and the Wolfpack. The others are point guard Cam Hayes, combo guard Shakeel Moore, power forward Nick Farrar and center Ebenezer Dowuona.

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