In high school basketball, earning an offer from any level is significant. Some kids work tirelessly for their entire childhood to reach this stage, and a scholarship simply validates the process. It’s typically uncommon to see players who haven’t (technically) begun their sophomore season already starting to collect offers—but Cole Cloer isn’t like most. On Monday, the 6-foot-7 wing received an offer from Wake Forest. Although Coach Forbes and staff have gotten involved with a ton of incredibly talented prospects over the years, extending this scholarship will inevitably lead to a myriad of other programs joining the party. This should come as no real surprise, as Cloer is already trending as the top player in North Carolina’s Class of 2026. So, what’s next'
Well, it’s likely that this will only be the tip of the iceberg. Going into the busiest recruiting month of the year, Cloer will undoubtedly turn heads. While most high-major coaches will be watching the older age groups, Cloer receiving more offers feels like a foregone conclusion. His Team CP3 squad is as talented as any team within the EYBL and will have a legitimate shot at contending for a Peach Jam title.
Regarding his actual on-court identity, Cloer is nothing short of special. He’s among the very few players with the ability to calmly and methodically dominate a game. Cloer consistently plays within the flow of the team structure and seemingly never forces the action. He’s a polished three-level scorer who can post-up, create for himself and others, and routinely hit highly difficult jumpers. Cloer possesses deep range and beautiful shot mechanics on his jumper, but also looks to attack closeouts in a variety of different ways. He has a strong arsenal of jabs, counters, and ball fakes to keep defenders in constant limbo. Cloer is a well-rounded athlete with the necessary explosion to routinely play above the rim. He’s also a crafty ball-handler and finisher below the basket. Cloer is a sharp passer, willing rebounder, and quality defender. He truly has no weaknesses in his current identity, yet only seems likely to get better and better. Assuming he remains motivated, there’s nothing preventing Cloer from asserting himself as one of the top players in the country. Wake Forest should feel intelligent for offering, but it feels like it’s only a matter of time before he’s coveted by basically every program across the nation.