After an unconventional path, international F Musa Sagnia ‘completed’ NC State following late arrival

The roster-building process isn’t usually a straightforward process. In NC State’s case, which required building practically an entire group from scratch with just one scholarship player held over from last season, that was evident.  NC State coach Will Wade believed his team was done over the summer, but after Congolese center Paul Mbiya decommitted in mid-June — and later signed with Kansas — it left a sizable void in the front court. The first-year coach knew he needed to plug the hole with another serviceable big man, but the market in July didn’t seem to have many options.  Although it appeared that way, Wade and his staff circled back to a prospect the team was interested in months before: Gambian forward Musa Sagnia, who was playing in Spain’s top professional league. While the Wolfpack already had a relationship with Sagnia, it took time to sign him to finish the team’s inaugural roster under Wade.  It wasn’t the easiest process, one that took nearly a quarter of the calendar year to get done, but after several departments on campus and a little help from the United States government, Sagnia arrived in Raleigh earlier this month. While the forward is catching up in both the classroom and on the practice court to be ready for the season opener against NC Central on Nov. 3, Sagnia brings a unique skill set on and off the court that is sure to be impactful for NC State. And despite his unconventional path to this moment, Sagnia is ready to make his collegiate debut with an ever-growing appreciation for the opportunity to excel in the NCAA as the final piece of the Wolfpack's complex puzzle of crafting a team.