NC State basketball gets an unexpected commitment. Here’s who’s joining the team
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- Eemeli Yalaho committed to NC tate, announcing "Go Pack" on social media.
- The 6-8, 235-pound forward averaged 10.1 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.7 assists at WSU.
- Yahalo is the fourth transfer portal player to join Justin Gainey’s first NC State team.
N.C. State added a surprising piece to its men’s basketball roster on Thursday night.
Washington State transfer Eemeli Yalaho committed to the Wolfpack and first-year head coach Justin Gainey. He wrote a simple, “Go Pack” with an image of himself in an NC State uniform on social media to announce his decision late Thursday night.
The forward, from Jyvaskyla, Finland, comes to Raleigh after spending one season at Washington State. Prior to his stint in Pullman, he spent two seasons at Texas Tech alongside former N.C. State forward Darrion Williams, even sharing photos on Thursday in honor of Williams’ birthday.
Yalaho, who will be a senior next season, averaged 10.1 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game in 32 appearances for the Cougars. He started in 27 games this season. He also recorded nine blocked shots and a trio of double-doubles.
In his two seasons with the Red Raiders, Yalaho appeared in 25 games and averaged 2.9 points and 2.1 rebounds. He missed most of the 2024-25 season with an injury.
What Eemeli Yalaho offers NC State
Yalaho was unranked as a high school recruit and transfer but at 6-8 and 235 pounds, he provides depth and size in the frontcourt.
He has international experience, playing for the Finnish U18 National Team. He won bronze at the FIBA U18 Division B tournament, where he averaged 10.2 points, 5.4 rebounds and two assists in the event.
Yalaho is the fourth transfer portal player to join Gainey’s first N.C. State team and the second big man.
With the transfer portal closed to new entrants, Gainey and his staff will turn its focus solely to adding players and building the schedule.
This story was originally published April 24, 2026 at 11:54 AM with the headline "NC State basketball gets an unexpected commitment. Here’s who’s joining the team."
