Paul Mcneil Returns to NC State After April Portal Move
paul mcneil is staying at NC State after entering the NCAA transfer portal in April. The sophomore guard announced Friday night on social media that he will remain with the Wolfpack, ending weeks of speculation tied to other schools.
McNeil’s Friday Night Turn
His decision lands after reports linked him to North Carolina, Virginia Tech, LSU and Kentucky. It also closes a stretch in which McNeil posted cryptic images and song lyrics on his Instagram story, while teammates added to the noise with their own reactions.
Jordan Snell, a four-year walk-on and team captain, commented “rafters” on McNeil’s post. Darrion Williams also posted two photos of McNeil on his Instagram story, and the social-media trail pointed toward a return before the announcement arrived.
NC State’s Returner
The move matters because McNeil was one of the lone scholarship returners last season and was expected to be among the few again after NC State missed the 2025 ACC Tournament and fired Kevin Keatts. In a turbulent offseason, keeping a player who already knows the program gives the roster at least one established piece to build around.
That continuity is not just about familiarity. McNeil said in 2024, “I’ve been committed since I was in 10th grade, so I was coming here regardless” and added, “No matter what, I was coming. I love the environment. I love the city, I love the staff, and I love the fans.”
McNeil’s Scoring Jump
Production is the other reason this return carries weight. McNeil averaged 4.2 points and 1.3 rebounds in 24 appearances as a freshman, then jumped to 13.8 points and 3.6 rebounds in 34 appearances this season.
His 3-point percentage rose from 35.6% to 42.7%, and he finished with 105 made 3-pointers. He also scored a career-high 47 points against Texas Southern in the program’s annual heritage game at Reynolds Coliseum, hitting 11 3-pointers and adding 10 rebounds.
For NC State, the immediate takeaway is simple: a sophomore guard who improved across two seasons and had drawn outside interest is back in Raleigh. McNeil has called playing in his home state “a blessing,” and the Wolfpack now keep one of its most productive returning options instead of replacing him again.
