When Will Wade took the rostrum at Reynolds Coliseum in March, he promised N.C. State followers a ‘purple reckoning.’ Wade insisted that this was not a rebuild however as a substitute, a reload. And after the 12–19 stumble that wiped away final yr’s ACC title, he must do what he did at McNeese but once more.
With simply two returners and a switch haul stacked with 13 new faces, Wade’s bought the Wolfpack marching into 2025–26 in full win-now mode. His observe document at McNeese with 50 wins in two seasons and an .847 document means there may be room for hope. Along with his 2025 class already locked in, Wade is his 2026 class.
Constructing a 2026 group that retains the momentum rolling means recruiting battles at their peak. And this weekend, a type of battles is taking a step forward. A five-star guard with 20 affords in hand is strolling into Baylor, and he’s the sort of participant who might reshape the complete board.
Dylan Mingo Units Sights on Will Wade’s Baylor With One other Weekend Go to
Dylan Mingo, the Lengthy Island Lutheran level guard, is already billed because the No. 1 PG within the 2026 class and the No. 5 total prospect. He has names like UConn, Washington, Miami, Alabama, and Penn State making an attempt to land him. North Carolina, Oklahoma, Virginia, and Wade’s N.C. State, are all urgent onerous too.
Nonetheless, Mingo is aware of what he’s on the lookout for.
In a latest interview with Rivals, Mingo went on to speak about his recruitment. “I’ll most likely take anyplace between 5 to eight visits,” he defined. “If it goes effectively, I’ll most probably commit earlier than my season.”
That timeline places stress on each program, particularly those internet hosting him now. The clock is ticking, and Baylor simply may need the within observe.
5⭐️ Dylan Mingo is taking an official go to to Baylor this weekend, he tells @Rivals.
The 6-5 prospect is the No. 5 total participant within the 2026 class and the No. 1 level guard.https://t.co/aGWcAoygcJ pic.twitter.com/3kOVJC1Yqm— Joe Tipton (@TiptonEdits) October 1, 2025
Apparently, Mingo is taking his sixth official go to, maybe as a result of the Bears have a trump card. VJ Edgecombe, Mingo’s former LuHi teammate, exploded at Baylor earlier than going No. 3 to the Philadelphia 76ers within the 2025 NBA Draft. For a participant who values speedy taking part in time and a quick observe to the league, Edgecombe’s story is the sort of proof that pitches can’t high.
“They’ve had loads of good guards,” Mingo mentioned. “That they had VJ (Edgecombe) final yr. Seeing that freshman guards go to the league persistently yr after yr is essential.” It helps that Edgecombe is speaking up his outdated stomping grounds. “He advised me he cherished it at Baylor,” Mingo added.
Moreover, Baylor’s guard pedigree, together with Davion Mitchell, Keyonte George, and Ja’Kobe Walter, has turned Waco right into a launchpad. Nonetheless, Mingo added, “I wish to play for a coach who values me so much. Not even simply the coach, the entire program. I wish to have a robust relationship with the coaches, particularly the top coach… and a program that’s prepared to play a freshman.”
For Wade and each coach on this chase, these traces are the litmus take a look at. Are you able to hand the keys to a five-star guard immediately? If not, Mingo would possibly simply not be on the crew. It’s onerous to argue the calls for as a result of his manufacturing backs them up. On the NBPA Prime 100 Camp in South Carolina, he averaged 23.8 factors, 6.8 assists, and 6.5 rebounds.
These are numbers that say plug and play. And as he steps into Baylor this weekend, the highlight is on Mingo and each coach watching nervously from afar, Wade included. With one dedication, the ‘purple reckoning’ both beneficial properties a famous person centerpiece or loses him to a rival.
