Cole Cloer crafts connection with NC State coaching staff as recruitment heats up
Watching NC State make a run through the NCAA Tournament was something special for Orange (N.C.) four-star small forward Cole Cloer. He has “always loved NC State” growing up a Wolfpack fan, and it was a special connection for the rising Class of 2026 recruit.
Each round NC State advanced to, Cloer continued to watch intently. By the time the Wolfpack made the Final Four against Purdue in Phoenix, Cloer grew that much more interest in watching the red and white.
“It’s always fun watching good basketball and just going from where you know the guys and then watch them on TV, it definitely changes a lot,” Cloer told TheWolfpacker.com in a recent interview. “It just makes you feel like you know them a little bit better, know what they’re doing right now. Keeping up with them is fun.”
The Wolfpack offered Cloer in September and he has accumulated interest from nearly every Power Conference in the country going into his junior season. His other offers include Mississippi State, Tennessee, Iowa, Georgetown and Illinois among others.
For Cloer, though, the Pack has a special place in his heart and he has built a connection with NC State coach Kevin Keatts through the recruiting process, including already having been on an unofficial visit to Raleigh.
“I love coach Keatts,” Cloer said. “Coach Keatts has been very consistent talking to me. He seems like he’s a big fan. He’s a great guy, too. He’s fun to be around, not just being a basketball coach but as a man. He seems like a great guy. It’s a great relationship.”
Though Cloer has only been on one trip to NC State — and he did not know what to expect on it — he said he learned a lot from it and was able to get a good feel for the program.
“It’s a family environment,” Cloer said. “Great coaches, great teammates, great trainers. It seems like everybody enjoys NC State, so it seems like a great place.”
While NC State has officially extended an offer to Cloer, the team most consistently communicating with him has been North Carolina. The Tar Heels have yet to offer Cloer, but he was intrigued by their interest.
“I’ve been hearing from them a lot throughout the year, so it’s been great,” Cloer said.
As Cloer goes into his junior year at Orange, he enters on the national radar. The 6-foot-6 small forward is the No. 12 player at his position in the country and the top-ranked recruit in North Carolina, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, and he’s likely to continue his upward trajectory. Cloer averaged 25.9 points with 8.9 rebounds and 2.5 assists a game this past season with the Panthers, according to MaxPreps.
He has plenty of time to continue to grow — both on the court and filling out his frame. As Cloer prepares for a pivotal year of his recruitment, he is working to improve every facet of his game.
“Just perfecting every little thing,” Cloer said. “Through all the years I’ve been working to get to this point. And now, it’s to stay here. I’m always trying to do better to improve defensively, understand the game a little bit better and just perfecting the little things. That’s what makes a big difference.”
The post Cole Cloer crafts connection with NC State coaching staff as recruitment heats up appeared first on On3.
Welcome to Billionaire Club Co LLC, your gateway to a brand-new social media experience! Sign up today and dive into over 10,000 fresh daily articles and videos curated just for your enjoyment. Enjoy the ad free experience, unlimited content interactions, and get that coveted blue check verification—all for just $1 a month!
Account Frozen
Your account is frozen. You can still view content but cannot interact with it.
Please go to your settings to update your account status.
Open Profile Settings