Will Wade: NC State Basketball Signee Has 'Untapped Potential'
First-year NC State basketball head coach Will Wade and his crew extended an offer to Jayme Kontuniemi in late April before welcoming the promising Finnish wing to Raleigh for an official visit earlier this month, Those moves culminated in his announced commitment last weekend. And as of Friday, that Wolfpack pledge, one of 11 for the red-hot Wade & Co. roster construction team between its efforts on the 2025 recruiting trail and in the transfer portal, is now officially in ink.
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Kontuniemi, a member of the 2023 Finnish U18 National Team, has consistently developed his game, most recently on display for a 2024-25 Drive Academy (Finland) squad that finished 12-0 overall en route to becoming EYBL U20 champions.
SIGNED: Welcome to the Pack, @kontuniemi! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/PkDu2oNOLq
— NC State Men's Basketball (@PackMensBball) May 30, 2025
"Jayme has a lot of untapped potential that we're eager to develop," Wade said about the 6-foot-4, 205-pound incoming freshman in the school's press release. "He's a hard worker, a true competitor, and most importantly, he's got a desire to win.
"He's excited and grateful for the opportunity, and we're just as excited to welcome him into our program."
Unrated and unranked on major recruiting sites due to his prep career taking place overseas, Jayme Kontuniemi isn't one of Will Wade's headline NC State basketball roster prizes. But as Wade suggested, the long-term impact of Kontuniemi's addition to the program could prove sizeable.
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Matt Giles is the editor and publisher of NC State Wolfpack on SI, Duke Blue Devils on SI, and North Carolina Tar Heels on SI, making him a key source for comprehensive coverage of these storied college basketball programs. Since joining NC State Wolfpack on SI in 2024, Matt has been dedicated to providing in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive content on all three teams. He covers everything from game previews and recaps to player profiles and recruiting updates. Matt's expert knowledge of these teams has made his work a go-to resource for fans and followers of Duke, NC State, and UNC. As publisher, he shapes the editorial direction, ensuring that the most relevant and timely information reaches his audience.