NC State transfer guard Matthew Able commits to North Carolina

Dec 3, 2025; Auburn, Alabama, USA; NC State Wolfpack guard Matt Able (3) drives against Auburn Tigers guard Keyshawn Hall (7) during the first half at Neville Arena. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-Imagn Images

The transfer portal has once again delivered a headline-grabbing twist in the ACC. This one cuts right to the heart of Tobacco Road.

Former NC State Wolfpack guard Matthew Able is headed to North Carolina, giving the Tar Heels a high-upside addition and handing their in-state rival a stinging departure in the process, On3 has learned.

Able’s decision comes after a whirlwind few weeks in Raleigh, sparked by the exit of head coach Will Wade. The freshman guard originally chose NC State in large part because of Wade’s vision, but with that foundation gone, the former top-25 recruit quickly became one of the more intriguing names in the portal.

Now, he lands in Chapel Hill with three years of eligibility remaining, and a chance to make an immediate impact. Able showed flashes of that potential during his freshman campaign.

Coming off the bench in all 34 games, the 6-foot-6 guard averaged 8.8 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game. His role grew in ACC play, where he bumped his scoring to 9.2 points per contest while shooting an efficient 42% from the field and 36% from three-point range.

Those numbers only tell part of the story. Able’s size and two-way versatility made him a projected cornerstone piece for NC State’s future. Instead, he now becomes a key building block for a North Carolina program navigating significant change of its own.