The recruitment of four-star small forward Cole Cloer is heating up, and new NC State head coach Will Wade is right in the thick of it.
An insider close to the situation recently confirmed that Wade has made Cloer a top priority in his first recruiting cycle with the Wolfpack, and it’s easy to see why.
Will Wade Pushing Hard for Cloer at NC State
Coming off a state championship and a standout performance on Nike’s EYBL circuit with Team CP3, the 6-foot-6 Cloer averaged 16.0 points per game and helped lead his squad to the Elite Eight of Peach Jam.
His impressive offensive versatility, combined with positional size and elite shot-making ability, has drawn serious national attention. Currently ranked among the top 30 prospects in the 2026 class, Cloer has lined up five official visits that will play a major role in his eventual college decision.
Cole Cloer highlights at the Peach Jam with Team CP3! @colecloerr @NikeEYB
🎥: @EliteMixtapesYT pic.twitter.com/e8qVFtY9Es
— Courtside Films (@CourtsideFilms) July 27, 2025
Since taking over at NC State in March 2025, Wade has been determined to make an early impact on the recruiting trail. Known for his aggressive recruiting style and tactical savvy, Wade has already made waves during previous stops at LSU and McNeese, where he compiled a dominant 50-9 record and earned back-to-back Southland Coach of the Year honors.
At NC State, Wade sees Cloer as a potential centerpiece for the future. Sources close to the program suggest Wade is making a “full-court press” for the in-state star, attempting to secure an early commitment before powerhouse programs like Kentucky, UNC, and UConn gain too much traction.
Five Visits Set, But No Commitment Date Yet
Cloer has scheduled five key official visits: NC State (Aug. 29), Florida (Sept. 6), Kentucky (Sept. 17), North Carolina (Oct. 10), and Alabama (Oct. 18). While recruiting buzz has pointed to UConn as a program to watch, both NC State and Florida are reportedly pushing hard to climb into serious contention.
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Despite the attention, Cloer remains uncommitted, both literally and figuratively. When asked about his timeline, Cloer emphasized that he’s in no rush.
This patient approach makes every visit critical, especially for programs like NC State hoping to land a verbal pledge before bluebloods gain momentum.
Scouting Cloer: A Confident Shot-Maker With Elite Upside
Cloer’s appeal is obvious on film. He’s an elite shooter with a smooth, high release and the confidence to score from all three levels.
He knocked down 43% of his open spot-up threes during EYBL play and complements that with a dangerous pull-up game and athleticism around the rim. At over 6’7″ in shoes, he boasts strong positional size and growing physicality.
While he’s still developing defensively, improved strength and effort could make him a two-way threat at the college level. Scouts rave about his swagger and natural scoring instincts, attributes that make him one of the most exciting wings in the 2026 class.