N.C. State scored its first 2026 commit Thursday, a fast-rising four-star center who excels on defense, according to analysts and scouts. The Wolfpack has reportedly secured a pledge from top-20 center Trevon Carter-Givens. The 6-foot-10 Carter-Givens, who plays high school ball in California, is a strong first commitment for head coach Will Wade and his staff.
N.C. State Scores First 2026 Commit, 4-Star C Who Excels on Defense
Per reports, Carter-Givens picked N.C. State over other finalists Southern California and San Diego State. That Wade and his assistants lured Carter-Givens away from those California-based schools is impressive. He took an official visit to N.C. State during the weekend of September 5, and trips to Raleigh, N.C., went well.
Carter-Givens’ full scholarship offer sheet included schools such as N.C. State, San Diego State, USC, Arizona State, Creighton, Florida State, New Mexico, San Francisco, Seton Hall, TCU, UNLV and Washington. On Thursday, the industry-generated 247Sports Composite had him, within the 2026 class, at No. 109 nationally, No. 16 at center and No. 10 in California.
Rivals places Carter-Givens at No. 108 overall, No. 16 at center and No. 12 in California. Carter-Givens is a senior at the SoCal Academy in Los Angeles. SoCal has brought on board several talented transfers for the team’s upcoming 2025-26 season. They include 2026 guard Junior Kemm, 2026 four-star point guard Kota Suttle and 2027 four-star shooting guard Mekhi Robertson.
N.C. State Commit Showed Defensive Prowess in EYBL
This spring and summer on the AAU circuit, Carter-Givens suited up for the 17U squad of the Los Angeles-based Team Why Not in Nike’s EYBL league. During the EYBL’s regular season, he averaged 6.2 rebounds, 5.4 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game.
In July, at the EYBL’s season-ending Peach Jam tournament in North Augusta, S.C., Team Why Not advanced to the semifinals before bowing out to eventual 17U champion Bradley Beal Elite from St. Louis. At Peach Jam, Carter-Givens tallied averages of 4.0 points, 5.7 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per contest.
Travis Branham, a 247Sports national analyst, says that Carter-Givens is one of the top rim protectors across the country in the 2026 class. Branham and other experts note that Carter-Givens shines on the defensive end and has promising long-term potential.
As N.C. State Scores Commit, Wolfpack Eyes Other Recruits
