NC State Hosts Atlantic-10 Standout Guard on Campus Visit
Although NC State’s transfer portal focus has recently leaned toward frontcourt additions, the coaching staff is still actively pursuing talent in the backcourt.
RALEIGH — Since the men’s basketball transfer portal officially opened on April 7, first-year head coach Justin Gainey has been working quickly to assemble his first roster in charge of the Wolfpack. The NC State alumnus returned to the program following a brief and turbulent tenure by former head coach Will Wade, who led the team for just one season. Early in the process, the backcourt has come together most rapidly.
After already landing guards Christian Hammond (Santa Clara) and Preston Edmead (Hofstra), Gainey and his staff are now hosting another potential addition. Former Dayton guard De’Shayne Montgomery arrived in Raleigh for an on-campus visit beginning Monday, according to his Instagram activity.
Background on Montgomery
Montgomery is a scoring-focused guard known for his instant-offense ability, a skill set that earned him Third-Team All-Atlantic 10 honors during his lone season with Dayton. He averaged 13.4 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 2.1 assists in the 2025–26 season while shooting 49% from the field. When he gets into rhythm, he can be difficult to contain, recording 20 or more points in seven games last season.
His college career has included stops at multiple programs over three years, making him a journeyman of sorts. Prior to Dayton, he spent the 2024–25 season at Georgia, which creates a connection to NC State through assistant coach Anthony Goins, who was on staff with the Bulldogs during Montgomery’s time there.
Playing Style and Defensive Value
Beyond his scoring, Montgomery brings defensive upside that appeals to NC State’s staff. He averaged 2.1 steals per game at Dayton and had consistent defensive production during his earlier stops at Mount St. Mary’s and Georgia. At 6-foot-4 and 190 pounds, he has the size and athletic profile of a high-major guard and projects as a strong perimeter defender in the ACC.
Fit at NC State
Hammond and Edmead are expected to lead the starting backcourt, with Edmead likely handling primary point guard duties. However, Montgomery’s skill set aligns well with Gainey’s preference for physical, defensive-minded guards who bring toughness.
With multiple roster spots still open after significant roster turnover in the transfer portal, Montgomery could emerge as a strong candidate to join the Wolfpack if his visit goes positively.
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