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NC State Misses Out on Latest Frontcourt Visitor: What it Means

The Wolfpack didn't get Jacob Bannarbie to commit, as the UNLV forward is heading to Providence instead.
Tucker Sennett|
Dec 7, 2024; Omaha, Nebraska, USA; Creighton Bluejays guard Jamiya Neal (5) scores against UNLV Rebels forward Jacob Bannarbie (12) in the second half at CHI Health Center Omaha. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-Imagn Images
Dec 7, 2024; Omaha, Nebraska, USA; Creighton Bluejays guard Jamiya Neal (5) scores against UNLV Rebels forward Jacob Bannarbie (12) in the second half at CHI Health Center Omaha. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-Imagn Images | Steven Branscombe-Imagn Images

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North Carolina State Wolfpack

RALEIGH — NC State is working on building its first roster under first-year coach Justin Gainey, who took over the program at the beginning of April following a lengthy career as an assistant at some of the biggest programs in the country. The Wolfpack alumnus has quietly assembled a talented group of transfers and retained some key players from last season. Still, the roster isn't done yet.

Gainey and his staff are still looking for frontcourt depth, something many coaches around the country believe is the key to any success a team can have in the current era of college basketball. Unfortunately for NC State, the latest frontcourt visitor won't be joining the program, as UNLV forward Jacob Bannarbie committed to Providence on Friday after stopping in Raleigh earlier in the week.

What does Bannarbie committing to Providence mean?

While the 6-foot-9 forward didn't stuff the stat sheet as a member of the Rebels, Bannarbie made sense as another frontcourt option for the Wolfpack to pair with Kyle Evans, Eemeli Yalaho and Zymicah Wilkins so far. It's unclear what the financial commitment was for Providence and whether the Wolfpack made an official offer, but his campus visit indicates there was mutual interest.

Bannarbie would've been a nice defensive option for NC State with quality length and rebounding ability. Now, he's off the board and the options in the transfer portal are getting thinner and thinner when it comes to positional size in the frontcourt. The Wolfpack got more bad news as it looks to fill the last few roster spots on the same day Bannarbie committed to Providence as well.

Musa Sagni
Jan 24, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; NC State Wolfpack forward Musa Sagnia (13) warms up before the game against the Pittsburgh Panthers at the Petersen Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images | Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

First-year forward Musa Sagnia, a native of the Gambia who played one season under Will Wade at NC State, committed to Virginia Tech after rumors of mutual interest between Sagnia himself and Gainey about a potential reunion in Raleigh. The Hokies swooped in and took the 6-foot-10 big man from the Pack, complicating the frontcourt situation even more for Gainey as he navigates his first offseason with the program.

The Wolfpack might need to get more creative in the final stages of roster construction for the 2026-27 season. Whether that's a more aggressive high school recruiting approach or exploring international options like Wade did with Sagnia remains to be seen, but there simply aren't many players left in the transfer portal who make sense for a high-major program like NC State.

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Tucker Sennett
TUCKER SENNETT

Tucker Sennett graduated summa cum laude with a B.A. in Sports Journalism from the esteemed Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University. A former basketball player, he has gained valuable experience working at Cronkite News and brings a deep passion for sports and reporting to his role as the NC State Wolfpack Beat Writer On SI.

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