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Consistency and continuity can be hard to find in college sports.
N.C. State, for as much as the men’s basketball team has experienced the past three seasons, found a little bit of it in Paul McNeil, Ven-Allen Lubin and Zymicah Wilkins.
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The three players stayed at N.C. State to play under Justin Gainey after former head coach Will Wade’s unexpected departure.
This is the first time in Lubin’s career that he remained at the same school in consecutive years, though he will play for a different coach in a fifth straight season.
McNeil and Wilkins, meanwhile, committed to N.C. State under Kevin Keatts. McNeil was a freshman during Keatts’ final season. They remained with the program when Wade took over, and stuck around again for Gainey.
They are the only three remaining players from a season ago after others transferred or graduated. Jordan Snell, remains with the team in a graduate assistant role.
A lot went into the trio’s decisions to remain in Raleigh, but a good portion of it hinged on loyalty, and appreciating the belief Gainey had in them.
McNeil told reporters last year he stayed when Wade was hired, because N.C. State was loyal to him for years. He entered the portal this spring, seeing what was out there, but ultimately decided the Wolfpack was still his home.
It wasn’t like he was playing for someone new, either. Not really, anyway. Gainey, when he was at Tennessee, was the first coach to offer McNeil a college scholarship — one the junior didn’t feel like he deserved.
The Rockingham native ultimately stayed home. His only official visit was with N.C. State, but McNeil and Gainey were reunited this year.
“I feel like it’s God’s will,” McNeil said on Thursday. “Can’t put it better than that. It’s gotta be God’s will. I feel like it was only right. Obviously, he played here, too, so he understands the culture. He understands what we’re trying to do, what we’re trying to accomplish.”
There was a part of him that wanted to be the face of an organization, the face of Raleigh and represent his hometown. McNeil said players from Rockingham don’t often get the chances he does — Gainey doesn’t know how many players have come out of the town — so the junior wants to shine a light on his “country town.”
Wilkins was in a similar situation. He redshirted a year ago and could’ve left for a different program after everything that happened. The sophomore credited loyalty for his decision to stick it out.
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“I love the school, love the people here, love the fans here,” Wilkins said. “And, when Coach Gainey got the job, he recruited me in high school at Tennessee, I wanted to play with him.”
Wilkins admitted he was nervous in the spring. McNeil was in the portal. Lubin was also in the portal but not guaranteed a fifth year. Wilkins didn’t know whether he’d be the lone returner.
McNeil came back and Lubin received an additional year of eligibility due to legal action by members of the Class of 2022.
It’s a happy family.
“They’re my boys, man,” McNeil said. “Mikey’s been working his butt off. Working his tail off. … Ven, that’s my dawg. That’s the Diesel. I believe in him so much. I trust him with my life. That’s how much I trust Ven and how much I care about Ven. He’s a way better person off the court. That’s why it was a big piece, getting him back.”
Last season, former Notre Dame head coach Mike Brey said Lubin deserved more stability than he received during his college career. Two of his previous transfers took place because of a coaching change.
He had interest from other schools, pending his fifth year of eligibility being approved, but for the first time, he stayed in the same spot. Granted, he isn’t far from Chapel Hill, but changing programs and campuses is a big adjustment. The fifth year forward still has to adapt to Gainey’s system, but he doesn’t have the extra changes, too.
Lubin said he appreciates Gainey giving him the opportunity to return and holding a roster spot open.
“It feels great to come back to a familiar situation, familiar place with a couple of familiar faces,” Lubin said. “I feel so welcome. I feel like I’m at home, being back here. I’m just excited.”
Lubin, who gets married next August, said getting to this point was a “hectic process.” He knew early on he wanted to try for a fifth year and prayed it would pass. He communicated with multiple schools, including N.C. State, and his fiancée helped him work through the decision-making process.
He re-committed to the Wolfpack on Aug. 15. Lubin received “a lot of love” from the fans and looks forward to stepping on the court again in a few short weeks.
“Shoutout to the fans,” Lubin said. “I love them, and I really appreciate that. All respect to that. I just want to continue to make them happy.”
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