RALEIGH — The cupboard was always going to be nearly empty for Justin Gainey after he took over the NC State men's basketball program after former coach Will Wade bolted for LSU. The program alumnus deliberately worked the transfer portal in his first few weeks on the job, but there are still some major needs remaining across the roster after the first six additions to the team. One of those needs was in the frontcourt, but the latest target, South Dakota State transfer Damon Wilkinson , committed to Nebraska before ever getting to Raleigh. Rather than waiting around, Gainey and his new staff got right back to work and identified one new target previously mentioned by NC State On SI as a potential fit for the Wolfpack moving forward. Abdi Bashir makes sense Jan 10, 2026; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Kansas State Wildcats guard Abdi Bashir Jr. (1) against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Desert Financial Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J.…