SerpApi.Org
NC State’s portal efforts resulted in adding three perimeter talents to go with returning junior shooting guard Paul McNeil.
The quartet of McNeil, sophomore point guard Preston Edmead, redshirt junior shooting guard Christian Hammond and sophomore shooting guard Darius Adams will help power the Wolfpack offense under first-year coach Justin Gainey.
The key for Gainey was finding perimeter players who complement each other, and he feels he has achieved that.
“They’re so unselfish that they’re turning down shots sometimes, and I’m on them about it — ‘Hey, you’ve got to take it,’” Gainey said. “They’re surrounded with other guys that can really shoot the basketball. They are turning down good shots for great shots.
“I think when you look at Preston with his size, his speed, his tenacity on the ball, it complements what Paul, what Christian, and what Darius bring to the table with their size and their length”
McNeil averaged 13.8 points per game for NC State last season, and shot 43.3 percent from the field and 42.7 percent on three-pointers. Getting game-to-game consistency will be the hallmark of McNeil’s improvement this season. He scored 18 or more points in 10 games last year, including his 47-point explosion when he went 11 for 17 on three-pointers in a 108-72 win over Texas Southern on Dec. 17.
McNeil had at least 20 points in four ACC games, with a league-best 28 points in a 96-78 win over Wake Forest on Jan. 31. However, he also had seven contests where he scored 10 points or fewer in ACC action.
“He has been amazing this offseason,” Gainey said. “Obviously, a good player, great player. Just his leadership, him wanting to lead.
“The conversations that we have at night when he texts me or he calls, ‘Hey coach, I think the team is feeling this. Hey coach, I think we need to go go-karting and do some things.’”
The 6-1, 170-pound Edmead proved to be a talented scorer at Hofstra under coach Speedy Claxton. The Pride went 24-11 overall and lost to Alabama in the NCAA Tournament. Edmead tallied 16.1 points, 3.5 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game, and shot 38.7 percent from three-point range. He scored 20-plus points in 10 games, including a season-high 26 points in a 75-69 win against Monmouth in the CAA title game March 10.
“He’s been great with that because he’s a guy that can score the ball,” Gainey said. “He’s scored a lot of points at Hofstra, and so the next stage for him is making guys better. Who are you going to help? Who are you going to make better? That’s been great and fun to watch, and those guys just love playing off each other.”
The 6-4, 195-pound Hammond can be used in a variety of ways, and he can create his own shot on drives and along the perimeter. He averaged 15.6 points, 3.0 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game while helping Santa Clara go 26-9 and reach the NCAA Tournament under former NC State coach Herb Sendek.
Gainey actively recruited Adams while serving as an assistant coach at Tennessee. He was ranked No. 32 by Rivals in the class of 2025 and first picked Connecticut, but ultimately landed at Maryland and then new coach Buzz Williams. The 6-5, 175-pounder averaged 10.8 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game, and he shot 24.8 percent from three-point range.
Gainey said it is on the defensive end that the three wings will need to continue to work hard to improve. He is encouraged by the on-ball defense of Edmead.
“We’re trying to get those guys up to his speed on being able to guard,” Gainey said. “Trying to get those guys to guard the way he does, and then with him just continuing to make guys better.
“I think Preston, he’s a junkyard dog, man. He is as tough as they come. He’s going to apply pressure.”
