Ven-Allen Lubin is returning to N.C. State basketball for his fifth and final season.
Lubin announced his decision via social media, writing he’s “far from finished” in Raleigh. The decision comes following a Colorado district court ruling that granted the 2022 class an additional year of eligibility.
The NCAA is appealing the decision, but for now, Lubin is a member of the Wolfpack for the 2026-27 season under first-year coach Justin Gainey.
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Here’s a breakdown of what Lubin’s return means for Gainey and the Wolfpack.
Ven-Allen Lubin stats, highlights, scouting report for NC State basketball
For the first time in his college basketball career, Lubin is set to play for the same program in consecutive seasons. After starting his career at Notre Dame, Lubin transferred to Vanderbilt and North Carolina before joining the Wolfpack. The 6-foot-9, 250-pound forward has improved in each of those seasons, averaging 13.6 points and 7.1 rebounds per game in his first season at N.C. State.
The Wolfpack’s most efficient player in its lone season under Will Wade, Lubin made 66.8% of his shots and 74.3% of his free-throw attempts. He was 38th nationally in two-point field-goal percentage, making 68.5% of his 254 shots inside the arc. Lubin had eight double-double performances, including a 24-point, 10-rebound showing at Notre Dame.
Ven-Allen Lubin role with Wolfpack roster under Justin Gainey
Like Paul McNeil Jr.’s return, Lubin gives the Wolfpack some roster continuity as one of the most productive pieces from last season. With the possible addition of Lubin, Gainey now has six big men on the roster. More importantly, the roster should allow Lubin to play more power forward instead of center.
In the last two seasons, Lubin often played the five as an undersized big in a small-ball lineup. UC Irvine transfer Kyle Evans, Washington State transfer Emeli Yalaho, Slovenian forward Robert Jurkovic, JUCO transfer Shah Hall and sophomore Zymicah Wilkins are the other bigs on Gainey’s roster, which should have more versatility than Wade’s group. Lubin’s efficiency as an interior scorer and rebounder should provide a major boost to this group.
Rodd Baxley covers North Carolina Tar Heels athletics for The Fayetteville Observer as part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow his ACC coverage on X/Twitter or Bluesky: @RoddBaxley. Got questions regarding UNC? Send them to rbaxley@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Ven-Allen Lubin returning to NC State basketball, what it means for Wolfpack