NC State is getting into the mix for one of New York’s rising wings, as 2027 small forward Josh Rivera is planning an official visit to Raleigh.
Rivera, a 6-foot-7, 180-pound prospect, has yet to lock in a date for the trip, but the interest is real. Even without an official scholarship offer from the Wolfpack, NC State remains active in his recruitment as the process starts to tighten up.
That timing matters. Rivera has said he wants to make a college decision within the next couple of weeks, or by early November at the latest. If NC State wants to push itself into serious consideration, the program may not have much time to waste.
Rivera has already taken official visits to Loyola and UMass, and he also has an upcoming official visit set for USC. His planned trip to FIU was postponed. In addition to NC State, he’s been drawing attention from several high-major programs, including Kansas State, Baylor, Virginia Tech and Syracuse.
Recruiting services are also split on how they view him, but the consensus is clear that he’s one of New York’s best. ESPN and 247Sports both grade Rivera as a 4-star prospect, while Rivals has him as a 3-star recruit.
247Sports also places him No. 145 overall in the 2027 class. Across the board, all three services list him as one of the top two players in New York.
Rivera spent this past high school season at Archbishop Stepinac in White Plains, New York, where he averaged 8.1 points per game. The raw scoring number doesn’t tell the full story. He shot 56% from the field and 53% from three, numbers that underline just how efficient he was as a perimeter threat.
At 6-foot-7, Rivera gives evaluators the kind of wing size that always turns heads. He’s known as a dangerous outside shooter, and his offensive game has grown this summer. Rivera has also shown he can create his own shot, adding another layer to his value.
His summer play with the NY Crusaders helped drive that momentum. Strong showings on the AAU circuit earned him spots at the NBA Top 100 Camp and Pangos All-American Camp, and he also stood out at Wootten Camp.
Last week, Rivera added another statement performance. He led Stepinac past Prolific Prep at the Border League and scored 27 points, going 7 of 10 from three-point range. That outing also came with an offer from Southern California.
In Other News...
Dave Doeren Enters A Tough New Conversation For NC State Fans
The early-season coaching carousel is already starting to take shape around the country, and Dave Doeren has found himself in an uncomfortable neighborhood with it. Marylands Mike Locksley is feeling the heat after a loss to Ohio State pushed his team to 2-4, Florida States Mike Norvell is being viewed through a different lens as the school seems more focused on roster investment than a midseason change, and Rutgers Greg Schiano is also dealing with pressure after recent defeats. For NC State fans, the more immediate concern is that Doerens name is now being mentioned in the same breath as coaches whose jobs are suddenly part of the broader conversation.
South Carolinas Shane Beamer bought himself some breathing room with a win at Florida, a reminder that one strong result can change the tone around a program in a hurry. Doeren, meanwhile, does not have that kind of cushion at the moment, and the Wolfpack are entering a stretch where every game can sharpen the questions around the direction of the program. The discussion is no longer just about one loss or one rough afternoon. It is about whether NC State is headed toward the kind of season that forces a much harder look from the outside. [Read more 🡒]
NC State Hits Midseason With Problems A Bye Week May Not Fix
NC State reached the midpoint of its season with a frustratingly familiar kind of loss, one that showed how quickly a promising start can unravel when the details go sideways. A 38-14 defeat at Wake Forest left the Wolfpack at 3-3 overall and 1-2 in ACC play, and the performance was especially troubling because it came with the defense slipping badly after halftime and the offense never finding much rhythm behind a banged-up front.
Dave Doeren pointed to execution issues and gave Wake Forest credit for the way it adjusted, which only sharpened the concern around a team trying to use the bye week as a reset. The Wolfpack already know the problems are not limited to one side of the ball, and with injuries piling up on the offensive line, the break may offer a pause more than a cure. [Read more 🡒]
Wake Forests Rise Just Made NC States Problem Harder To Ignore
Wake Forests climb into the AP top 25 has added another layer to NC States October frustration, especially after the Demon Deacons handled the Wolfpack in a game that looked more and more lopsided as it went on. Under first-year coach Jake Dickert, Wake Forest is ranked No. 21 for the first time, and the timing only sharpens the sting for a Wolfpack team trying to measure itself against one of the leagues fastest-rising programs.
The matchup also underscored just how difficult Wake Forest has become to defend. Carlos Hernandez, who leads the FBS in receptions, kept finding space with 12 catches for 117 yards and a touchdown, while Jack Foley added eight grabs for 156 yards and a score. On the other side of the ball, the Demon Deacons tightened up after halftime and held NC State to 73 yards, with Langston Hardy finishing with 1.5 sacks and two tackles for loss. [Read more 🡒]