Coach Steve Forbes will focus on his team’s shooting and executing a consistent offense to make the Demon Deacons an ACC challenger. (Photo courtesy of Wake Forest Athletics).
Wake Forest Demon Deacons
Coach: Steve Forbes (92-65 at WFU, 5 seasons; Overall: 222-108, 10 seasons)
2024-25 Record: Overall: 21-11, ACC: 13-7, 4th
Coach Steve Forbes looked at last season’s deficiencies and he jumped in to improve the Demon Deacons so they can return to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2017. Wake Forest had tough hurdles offensively as the Demon Deacons only shot 44.3 percent, 28.5 percent from three, and finished last in the ACC in field goal attempts and three-point attempts. Nationally, they were outrebounded by two boards per game while finishing with only 11.3 assists, 332nd in college basketball.
“I think that we have some really talented players,” said Forbes. “The strength in numbers will allow us to play in a lot of more of an attacking style on offense. We’ll have mobility at every position and skill, have more pace, more cutting.”
Even at that, Wake won 21 games and finished 13-7 in the ACC as the Deacons were passed over as an NCAA Tournament participant.
Spillers Spells Activity: Tre’Von Spillers joined the team last season after one year at Appalachian State, where he was first team all-SunBelt in 2024. His athleticism and length after shooting 51.1 percent from the floor with 9.9 points and a team-high 7.6 rebounds per game. Spillers’ dynamics have become a greater factor as he has improved his game season by season.
“I just know every time he just wants the best out of us,” said Spillers. “We know we’re not going to play perfect. He just expects us to go out there and give it our hardest every time we step on the court.”
Join the Deacons: Forbes brought in former Charlotte Hornets’ assistant Nick Friedman, who has become a key in offensive development and positivity. Friedman is a positive, reassuring coach who has given this season’s players more confidence.
“We’re so far ahead in attempted field goals this year in practice than we were a year ago because we played more, and I think that’s really helped us,” Forbes stated.
Offensive Stature: Forbes returns Omaha Biliew and 6-7 forward Juke Harris, who has improved his shooting over the summer.
“He’s shooting 47 percent from three right now in practice,” noted Forbes. “We’re shooting 41 percent as a team.”
Forbes added interesting transfers in Nate Calmese, who has played at Washington and Washington State during the past two seasons. Wake Forest also brings in Mekhi Mason from Washington, former Purdue role player Myles Colvin, and Cooper Schwieger, the leading scorer and leading rebounder at Valpo.
“It makes me very excited just knowing what I can do with my shooting ability,” Mason says of Forbes. “He instills confidence in me every time I let the ball go and says, ‘Keep shooting them.’ Just to have a coach like that that gives you the ultimate confidence, it’s all you need to be a good shooter.”
Calmese led Washington State in scoring at 15.3 ppg., while Mason shot 40.2 percent for the Huskies a year ago.