NC State men’s basketball is on the hunt for talent as head coach Will Wade assembles his first team in Raleigh, adding a trio of transfers to bolster the roster.

Alyn Breed

Graduate guard Alyn Breed was NC State’s first portal commit this year. One of two players to follow Wade from McNeese State to Raleigh, Breed is a 6-foot-3 score-first player who fits best as an off-ball guard. Breed started his career at Providence where he played a limited role.

After sitting out the 2023 season at McNeese for transfer rules, Breed only played two games with the Cowboys before an injury cut his season short. However, in those two games, Breed flashed his talent, including a 17-point outburst against then-No. 2 Alabama.

While the roster is still in flux, Breed projects to be an important reserve piece. With three years of experience in the Big East, his game is well-positioned to translate well in the ACC. Breed can provide instant offense off the bench with his ability to drive and score inside. Whether it’s forcing steals and scoring in transition or utilizing ball screens in the half-court, Breed is dangerous when he gets downhill and into the paint.

If there’s any concern with Breed’s game, it’s his shooting. During his three years at Providence, Breed shot under 30% from deep each season. However, as an excellent free throw shooter, hitting at an 80.6% clip across his career, there’s potential for Breed to develop into a serviceable threat from deep.

Quadir Copeland

Like Breed, junior guard Quadir Copeland is also following Wade from McNeese to Raleigh.

One of the more unique players in the transfer portal this cycle, Copeland is a 6-foot-6 point guard known for his fiery personality and impressive defensive skill set. As Wade looks to establish a new culture in Raleigh, Copeland will be a key player in setting the tone, especially defensively.

Copeland, a Philadelphia native, embodies his hometown’s identity. At Syracuse, he was dubbed “Philly Tough” by his head coach, Adrian Autry. Copeland plays with a mean and confident attitude —- something that’ll benefit the Pack.

When there’s a bucket to be scored, Copeland looks to throw down a dazzling dunk or a flashy pass to an open teammate — then make sure everyone knows about it. Wolfpack fans found that out firsthand during his 25-point performance for the Orange in Raleigh a couple of seasons ago. That attitude is one of many things NC State missed last season.

Much of Copeland’s value stems from his switchability on defense. Despite being a guard, Copeland can defend positions one through four in any set.

Copeland is also a sneaky offensive threat, shooting 48.8% from the field and averaging 4.5 assists per game last year. An impressive athlete, Copeland will be a problem for teams to contain, but especially on the fast break.

Similar to Breed, Copeland struggles as a shooter with a career 20.3% shooting percentage. With 3-pointers not a major part of his game, it’ll be critical for Wade to secure multiple shooters in the portal to maximize Copeland’s strengths. Playing with freshman guard Paul McNeil Jr. — a sniper from behind the arc — should help Copeland.

Regardless of whether Copeland starts or is a rotational bench piece, expect him to be on the floor with NC State’s top shooters, allowing Copeland to be a playmaker on offense and throw opposing offenses into chaos.

Tre Holloman

NC State’s latest pickup is junior guard Tre Holloman from Michigan State. Holloman’s stats may not pop off the page, but make no mistake — Holloman is a quality addition.

Potentially the next starting point guard in Raleigh, Holloman will also be critical in establishing the Pack’s culture. As a team captain for a Michigan State team that went to the Elite 8, Holloman brings valuable leadership and experience to the Pack.

On the court, Holloman is a prototypical point guard. He’s the best passer on the roster and will always be looking to set up his teammates for easy baskets.

But he’s also more than just a facilitator — Holloman can score at all three levels. He’s particularly effective off the dribble, whether pulling up from midrange or finishing at the rim. A career 35.6% 3-point shooter, Holloman is also dangerous behind the arc.

Another notable aspect of Holloman’s game is that he elevates in the biggest moments. Two of his three highest-scoring games came against rival Michigan. He also scored 19 and 17 points against North Carolina and Illinois, respectively.

Improving his consistency will be critical for Holloman though. The Michigan State transfer flashed moments of greatness throughout the season but had too many games where he disappeared, including an 0-10 performance against Auburn in the Elite 8.

In a likely elevated role with NC State, the Pack needs him to be at his best to be the point guard that the Wolfpack needs.

Breed, Copeland and Holloman set the foundation for Wade’s inaugural campaign. With more portal movement to come, expect the Pack to keep reloading.