News Summary
Cole Cloer, a rising basketball prospect from Hillsborough, North Carolina, announced his commitment to NC State. The IMG Academy senior chose NC State over several prestigious programs, signaling the team’s commitment to strengthening its recruiting class. Cloer, a 6-foot-7 small forward, is a four-star recruit expected to make significant contributions. His recruitment journey included offers from 26 schools, highlighting his promising future. This marks a crucial step in NC State’s efforts to revitalize its basketball program.
Raleigh, North Carolina
North Carolina State University announced the commitment of Cole Cloer, a highly regarded high school basketball prospect from Hillsborough, North Carolina, on Saturday. Cloer, a senior at IMG Academy in Florida, chose NC State over several major rivals, including the University of North Carolina, UConn, Alabama, and Florida. His decision highlights NC State’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its recruiting class and build for the future at the college level.
Details of the Commitment
The official announcement occurred during an NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) event held in Raleigh, with a large gathering of NC State fans and boosters in attendance. Cloer revealed that he made his decision just 13 days prior to his public announcement. His choice to join NC State came after a thorough recruitment process involving multiple notable programs.
Player Profile and Recruitment History
Cloer is a 6-foot-7-inch small forward weighing approximately 195 pounds. Recognized as a four-star recruit by Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN, he is expected to make an immediate impact due to his shooting efficiency and his physical attributes. Coaches anticipate he will contribute quickly to NC State’s lineup given his skills and readiness.
During his recruitment, Cloer received offers from a total of 26 schools, including prominent programs such as Kentucky, Kansas, Arkansas, Ohio State, Oregon, Wake Forest, and Tennessee. His official visit to Raleigh occurred in August, following visits to Alabama and Florida in September. Although initially planning to visit North Carolina, he canceled that visit last week. Cloer emphasized his belief that NC State is on a resurgence and poised to return to prominence.
Family and High School Background
Cloer hails from a family with ties to NC State; his father is a fan of the program, while his mother attended UNC. He has three siblings; two brothers who are friends with notable NC State athletes, and a sister working as a local nurse. Before enrolling at IMG Academy, Cloer played at Caldwell Academy, where he averaged 18.9 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 3.8 assists during his junior season. He played a key role in leading Caldwell Academy to a state championship and participated in high-profile camps, including the NBPA Top 100 camp and the USA U19 national team training camp.
Notable Development and Future Potential
Recent IMG Academy alumni include prominent players such as Zach Edey, Armando Bacot, Keyonte George, and Mark Williams. Coaches and scouts consider Cloer a promising addition, citing his shooting ability and physical presence as assets. He expressed confidence in the coaching staff under Head Coach Will Wade, describing them as elite and key to his development as a player.
Implications for NC State’s Recruiting Strategy
Cloer’s commitment marks the second recruit for NC State’s 2026 class, joining Trevon Carter-Givens, a 6-11 four-star center from California. His decision reinforces NC State’s efforts to establish a strong recruitment foundation despite competitive challenges in the college basketball landscape.
Background on Recruitment and Previous Targeting
Cloer has been a target for NC State since his freshman year, with former assistant coach Joel Justus serving as his primary recruiter. The player’s high school career included notable performances at Caldwell Academy, where he showcased his scoring, rebounding, and playmaking abilities. He also participated in various camps and tournaments that helped elevate his national profile.
Summary of Key Facts
- Location of announcement: Raleigh, North Carolina
- Player’s hometown: Hillsborough, North Carolina
- High school: IMG Academy
- Height and weight: 6-7, 195 pounds
- Position: Small forward
- Recruitment offers: 26 schools including Kentucky, Kansas, Arkansas, Ohio State, Oregon, Wake Forest, and Tennessee
- Official visits: Raleigh in August, Alabama and Florida in September, canceled North Carolina visit
- Family ties: Father is a fan of NC State, mother attended UNC, three siblings
- High school stats: 18.9 points, 7.2 rebounds, 3.8 assists during junior year
- Previous team success: Led Caldwell Academy to a state championship
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Additional Resources
- ESPN: Cole Cloer Commits to NC State
- 247Sports: Elite SF Cole Cloer Commits
- News Observer: Cole Cloer’s Commitment
- Sports Illustrated: NC State Recruitment
- Google Search: Cole Cloer
Author: STAFF HERE RALEIGH WRITER
RALEIGH STAFF WRITER The RALEIGH STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERERaleigh.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Raleigh, Wake County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the North Carolina State Fair, Raleigh Arts Festival, and the Hopscotch Music Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce and Visit Raleigh, plus leading businesses in technology and education that power the local economy such as Red Hat and NC State University. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAsheville.com, HERECharlotte.com, HEREGreensboro.com, and HEREOBX.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into North Carolina's dynamic landscape.
