NC State men’s basketball has received a major boost with the return of its most efficient player from last season, fifth-year forward Ven-Allen Lubin.
Following multiple court injunctions involving NCAA eligibility rules, Lubin was granted another season and ultimately decided to return to NC State rather than pursue other opportunities. His return gives first-year head coach Justin Gainey an experienced frontcourt presence who can contribute with his size, defense and scoring ability. Perhaps most importantly, Lubin brings valuable experience to a roster that will need strong leadership.
After moving between several programs throughout his college career, Lubin is now staying in Raleigh for another season and will once again wear the red and white. As one of the oldest players on the roster and the most experienced member of last year’s returning group, he figures to have an important leadership role under Gainey.
Before Lubin’s return, the Wolfpack had a noticeable need for a proven interior defender capable of matching up with some of the ACC’s biggest centers. Lubin’s previous experience starting at center in the conference makes him a natural fit for that responsibility. His presence should also take some pressure off graduate transfer Kyle Evans, a former UC Irvine standout and reigning Big West Defensive Player of the Year, as he adjusts to the demands of playing center in the ACC.
Although Evans has demonstrated impressive defensive ability, defending NBA-caliber prospects in the post will be a relatively new challenge. At UC Irvine, much of his defensive work came in drop coverage, where he focused on protecting the rim and contesting shots rather than consistently battling larger opponents in the paint. Having Lubin available gives Gainey another versatile defensive option and allows the coaching staff to utilize different frontcourt combinations.
Offensively, Lubin has developed into a highly efficient scorer. He is coming off a season in which he led the ACC in field-goal percentage by a considerable margin, connecting on 66.8% of his attempts while averaging 13.6 points per game.
Wolfpack fans will likely remember his standout performance against Clemson, when Lubin scored 22 points on the road against the ranked Tigers to help NC State secure an overtime victory. His combination of size, experience and ability to deliver in important moments was a major reason Gainey and his staff prioritized bringing him back.
Lubin’s initial path to another season began with an injunction issued in Colorado that opened the door for him to enter the transfer market. A more recent injunction in Texas has provided another layer of protection for his fifth year of eligibility.
With Lubin back in the fold, NC State has added another experienced piece to its roster—and there is plenty of reason for Wolfpack fans to be excited about the upcoming season.
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