“I think they are gonna get PJ Haggerty”: NCAA analyst heaps praise for Will Wade and NC State’s transfer portal
It's only been a few short weeks since McNeese State coach Will Wade was hired for the NC State job, but suffice it to say Wade’s hard work on the transfer portal trail is already winning over fans and media members alike. Despite a late start and a limited roster to build around, Wade’s portal efforts are drawing notice.
Longtime reporter Jeff Goodman, who now operates Field of 68, offered significant praise for Wade’s work during a recent Field of 68 podcast. Discussing the best coaching hires of the offseason, Goodman immediately highlighted Wade.
"Will Wade at NC State, you are not going to find a better fit," he said. "Those fans are out of their minds. They want somebody who is going to fight Jon Scheyer, who's going to fight North Carolina, who's going to come out and say some crazy s**t and then try to back it up.
"Will Wade’s already got Tre Holloman, a good, solid pick, veteran guard. Terrance Arcenaux, a talented kid who never got a full chance at Houston ... I think he’s going to get PJ Haggerty as well. To me, it’d be hard to argue with Will Wade being the best hire of this cycle."
Goodman's observations have certainly been backed by Wade’s impressive start. With six commitments already in hand, NC State is making significant noise. And in his forecast of the future, Goodman hinted at the possibility of an even bigger portal splash.
Haggerty the cherry on top of a great portal class for NC State and Wade?
Memphis guard P.J. Haggerty is one of the top players to enter the transfer portal. 247Sports ranks him as the No. 2 entrant, trailing only Michigan power forward Yaxel Lendeborg. The 6-foot-3 guard is seeking his fourth school. Out of high school, he barely played at TCU before starring at Tulsa and then Memphis.
Last year at Memphis, Haggerty averaged 21.7 points, 5.8 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game. The 6-foot-3 guard could well end up in the NBA, and has reportedly been seeking $4 million in NIL compensation from a prospective college team.
Meanwhile, Wade took over a 12-19 team where the top seven scorers were all seniors — although five of them had another year of eligibility and entered the portal.
Led by Holloman and Arcenaux, and despite a late start, Wade has secured the No. 36 national class, according to 247Sports. The addition of Haggerty would likely vault NC State into the top tier of ACC teams.
What do you think about Wade's portal work and the potential addition of Haggerty? Share your take below in our comments section!