In a move that shocks the offseason, NC State women’s basketball secured a major coup by adding former Vanderbilt forward Khamil Pierre, one of the SEC’s top players, to their roster—despite the transfer portal being closed. The acquisition signals that Coach Wes Moore and his staff are not just content with being contenders; they’re actively reshaping the ACC’s pecking order.
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📈 A Star Emerges from the SEC
Khamil Pierre is no ordinary forward. At 6-foot-2, she dominated in the SEC last season with staggering averages: 20.4 points and 9.6 rebounds per game, while shooting over 49% from the field. Her defensive versatility stood out too, ranking top nationally in steals and recording a remarkable 42-point, 18-rebound, 8-steal game against Evansville .
Despite declaring she wouldn’t enter the portal, Pierre pivoted unexpectedly, leaving Vanderbilt after the portal closed. That twist—enabled via a waiver—allowed her to enroll directly at NC State. The result? Pierre lands in Raleigh as a “walking double‑double” ready to immediately bolster the Pack .
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🤔 Why the Unusual Route?
Normally, athletes transfer only during open portal windows. Pierre’s journey bypassed that due to her unique situation: she withdrew from Vanderbilt after portal closure and then enrolled at NC State through standard admissions—skipping the typical waiting process. NC State’s staff, including compliance personnel, acted swiftly to facilitate her move .
Wes Moore, who recruited her originally out of high school, led the charge. NC State had identified power forward as a key need—especially after losing seniors Madison Hayes, Saniya Rivers, and Aziaha James. Pierre now fills that void not just adequately, but with star-level production .
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🏀 Practice–to–Postseason Impact
With two years of eligibility remaining, Pierre immediately becomes one of the ACC’s most dynamic frontcourt operators. Her polished mid-range game, defensive instincts, and proven playmaking fit seamlessly with NC State’s uptempo and physical style.
This past year, the Wolfpack won the ACC regular-season and reached the Sweet 16, powered by WNBA-first-rounders Aziaha James and Saniya Rivers. Pierre steps into a ready-made opportunity to sustain—and exceed—that success .
Pairing Pierre with returning sophomore center Tilda Trygger gives NC State one of the conference’s most formidable frontcourt duos. She complements junior guard Zoe Brooks, offering a complete inside-out threat that few opponents can match.
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🔄 Portal Strategy Pays Off
NC State’s portal efforts earlier this spring were mixed. They pursued notable targets like Kara Dunn (GT to USC), Allie Kubek (Maryland to Florida State), and Fatmata Janneh (Saint Peter’s)—many of whom ultimately landed elsewhere . But none compared to landing SEC-level star power—Pierre.
The addition reframes the roster: what seemed like a retool for depth has become a statement-building move for title contention. If the Wolfpack develop around Pierre’s two-way excellence and pair it with their existing talent, they’re poised for another deep postseason run.
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🌟 The New ACC Threat
As summer workouts begin, all eyes will be on Pierre’s integration. Will she maintain her scoring and rebounding dominance as opponents pivot to neutralize her threat? Will Coach Moore’s experience with high-level talent translate to postseason success?
One thing is clear: this was no ordinary portal signing. By orchestrating Pierre’s move during a closed window, NC State flipped the script—and landed a game-changer.
Expect the Wolfpack to headline the ACC’s next title chase, and look for Pierre to serve as the engine of their resurgence.
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Let me know if you want deeper player breakdowns or season projections!