ACC Preview #3 – Wake Forest

It’s tempting to say, poor Steve Forbes. Like NC State and UNC, Wake Forest is in a near total rebuild. Unlike his in-state rivals, Wake Forest has had a tough time adapting to the new environment in college basketball.

Wake doesn’t publicize its NIL budget, but two words tell you what you need to know: Juke Harris.

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Harris was a four-star, Top 50 recruit who Forbes and his staff really worked hard with and turned him into a star. But when he explored his market value, Wake could not keep him. There could be more to it than money, of course, but whatever it is, he’s gone, and money is bound to be a factor.

Wake AD John Curry has discussed the need to raise more money and seems to be diligently applying himself to that end, but Wake Forest only has about 5,500 undergrads. It’s not a poor school by any means, but it is a small school and football makes demands on the budget as well. So Forbes is in a tough spot.

And it’s too bad because his teams are smart, play hard, and compete well. At least for now, he’s handicapped by not having an equivalent level of talent as Wake’s ACC rivals.

Last year, the Demon Deacons finished at just 18-17. We don’t think the fans are rebelling yet, but they have before. Hopefully, they recognize that he’s a quality coach and support him.

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Okay, let’s get into the roster.

Returnees

Isaac Carr – 6-4/187/JR

Vincent Ricchiuiti – 6-6/195/SR

Will Underwood – 6-3/180/SR

Anson Beard – 6/5/215/SO

Portal

Antonio Dorn – 7-0/230/JR (Virginia Tech)

Kevair Kennedy – 6-2/165/SO (Merrimack)

Jamari McDowell – 6-5/200/R-JR (Kansas)

Vincent Chaudhri – 6-7/190/R-FR (George Washington)

Xander Pintelon – 6-11/220/SR (FAU)

Ring Nyeri – 6-8/185/JR (Northern Colorado)

Freshmen

Gavin Placide – 6-9/4 star

Gallagher Placide – 6-8/4 star

Forbes only has four guys back, and unless you’re a Demon Deacons fan, odds are you won’t remember them. That’s not to say they couldn’t excel this season, just that none of them really have so far.

Wake is…

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Publish date : 2026-07-11 11:30:00

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