A final season of promise
Ven-Allen Lubin is set to wear the red and white for what will be his fifth and final year of college basketball, after a Colorado district court granted him an additional year of eligibility. The ruling overturns the NCAA’s initial denial and clears the path for the forward to rejoin the Wolfpack for the upcoming 2026‑27 season.
Lubin’s college career has taken him from Notre Dame to Vanderbilt before landing in Raleigh, where he quickly became a cornerstone of the team’s interior game. In his first season with the Wolfpack he posted 13.6 points and 7.1 rebounds per game, shooting 66.8 % from the field and 74.3 % on free throws, numbers that placed him 38th nationally in two‑point percentage and helped him record eight double‑digit rebounds, including a 24‑point, 10‑rebound outing at Notre Dame.
His return arrives at a pivotal moment for the program. New head coach Justin Gainey, who took over the helm this year, now commands a frontcourt that includes six capable big men, a depth that promises greater flexibility and defensive stability.
The coaching staff expects Lubin’s proven efficiency to translate into a stronger overall performance, especially as he shifts from center to power forward, allowing him to stretch the floor and dominate the paint. Alongside him, transfers such as Kyle Evans, Emeli Yalaho, Robert Jurkovic, Shah Hall and sophomore Zymicah Wilkins add further options for a roster that looks poised to build on last season’s momentum.
The team’s continuity extends beyond Lubin, echoing the earlier return of guard Paul McNeil Jr., and signals a deliberate effort to blend experience with fresh talent as the Wolfpack aim to climb the ACC standings.