College basketball thrives on bold personalities and intense rivalries, and NC State head coach Will Wade recently turned up the heat with a scathing critique of North Carolina.
While addressing the public recently, following the transfer of forward Ven-Allen Lubin to NC State, he didn’t hold back, stating, “I don’t know where we got him from, we got him on the side of the road. The other school was too dumb to play him.”
The remarks, aimed at UNC, his former school, have sparked debate about his role with the Tar Heels and what lies ahead under Wade’s guidance at NC State.
Lubin’s move to NC State, announced earlier this month, marks a rare direct transfer between ACC rivals UNC and NC State, intensifying an already heated rivalry. Wade’s comments reflect his confidence in his untapped potential and belief that UNC failed to maximize the forward’s abilities.
Lubin’s Path: From UNC to NC State’s New Chapter
Lubin’s basketball career began at Orlando Christian Prep in Florida, where his versatility as a 6’8” forward earned him first-team all-state honors. His college journey started at Notre Dame in 2022-23, where he averaged 6.2 points and 4.4 rebounds in 28 games, starting seven, per the University of North Carolina Athletics records.
After one season, he transferred to Vanderbilt, where he broke out as a sophomore, averaging 12.3 points and 6.3 rebounds across 26 games under coach Jerry Stackhouse. In 2024, he joined UNC, where he played a key role, averaging 8.7 points and a team-high 5.5 rebounds in 37 games, starting 20, during the 2024-2025 season.
At UNC, he emerged as a vital post presence, particularly late in the season, with 11 consecutive double-digit scoring games and four double-doubles in his final six contests.
Despite this, he entered the transfer portal on April 21, 2025, citing the NCAA’s pending settlement as a precautionary move, initially expressing “full intent” to return to Chapel Hill.
However, on June 1, 2025, he announced his commitment to NC State, which stunned Tar Heel fans and drew a cryptic social media response from UNC guard Seth Trimble, hinting at heightened rivalry tensions.
Will Wade on Ven-Allen Lubin:
“I don’t know where we got him from, we got him on the side of the road.”
and
“The other school was too dumb to play him”.
I love this guy. pic.twitter.com/9xLUKPtZ56
— Shadrach “Scooter” (@ShadrachScooter) June 15, 2025
Wade, now in his first year at NC State after leading McNeese State to a 30-4 record in 2023-2024, saw him as a cornerstone for his Wolfpack rebuild. His recruitment of the forward, one of eight portal additions, underscores his aggressive approach to roster construction.
Wade’s colorful claim about finding Lubin “on the side of the road” reflects his knack for bold rhetoric, but it also signals his belief that UNC underutilized a player poised for a breakout.
Was UNC Really ‘Too Dumb’ To Play Lubin Right?
Wade’s assertion that UNC was “too dumb to play him” invites scrutiny of his role under Tar Heel coach Hubert Davis. In the 2024/2025 season, UNC finished 14-11 overall and 7-6 in ACC play, struggling to secure an NCAA Tournament bid.
Starting in over half of his 37 appearances, he was a consistent contributor, shooting 68.4% from the field and leading the team with 5.5 rebounds per game.
Despite these numbers, Wade’s critique suggests UNC’s system didn’t fully harness Lubin’s skill set. The Tar Heels’ offense leaned heavily on guards like RJ Davis, who averaged 23 points per game, while his 19.6 minutes per game limited his touches.
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UNC’s addition of 7-foot center Henri Veesaar in the 2025 offseason signaled a push for size, potentially crowding the frontcourt and prompting speculation about Lubin’s fit. Initially framed as a business move tied to NIL uncertainties, his portal entry hinted at underlying tensions, possibly over playing time or financial terms.
On the other hand, UNC’s staff could argue he was a focal point when it mattered most. His 11 straight double-digit scoring games and four double-doubles in the ACC Tournament show he was far from underutilized. Still, Wade’s comments tap into a narrative of missed opportunity, amplified by Lubin’s decision to join a rival
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