What Happened to Wake Forest Demon Deacons Men's Basketball Program?
The Wake Forest Demon Deacons men's basketball program, under Head Coach Steve Forbes since 2020, has been in a rebuilding phase, showing flashes of potential but struggling to consistently return to national prominence. Despite a strong 2021-22 season and a competitive 2024-25 campaign, the team has faced challenges in the highly competitive ACC, missing the NCAA Tournament for several consecutive years. The 2025-26 season saw the emergence of sophomore guard Juke Harris as a star player, earning ACC Most Improved Player honors, as the team concluded its regular season and entered the 2026 ACC Tournament.
Quick Answer
The Wake Forest Demon Deacons men's basketball program, led by Coach Steve Forbes, has been working to regain its footing in the ACC. After a promising 2024-25 season that saw them finish tied for fourth in the ACC, the 2025-26 season concluded with a 16-15 overall record and a 7-11 ACC record, placing them 13th. Sophomore guard Juke Harris emerged as a standout, being named the ACC Most Improved Player on March 10, 2026. The team is currently participating in the 2026 ACC Tournament, facing Virginia Tech in the first round on March 10, 2026, aiming to break a long NCAA Tournament drought.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline11 events
Steve Forbes Hired as Head Coach
Steve Forbes was named the head coach of the Wake Forest Demon Deacons men's basketball program, taking over during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Steve Forbes Signs Long-Term Contract Extension
Wake Forest University announced a long-term contract extension for Head Coach Steve Forbes, the same day he was named ACC Coach of the Year, recognizing his rapid impact on the program.
Program-Record Comeback Win
Wake Forest achieved its largest comeback in program history, overcoming a 21-point deficit against Elon.
Strong ACC Performance, Misses NCAA Tournament
The Demon Deacons finished the 2024-25 season with a 21-11 overall record and a 13-7 ACC record, tying for fourth place. They lost in the ACC Tournament quarterfinals and were not invited to the NCAA Tournament.
Twin Forwards Gavin and Gallagher Placide Commit
Four-star twin forwards Gavin and Gallagher Placide, both top-80 prospects in the 2026 class, committed to Wake Forest, significantly boosting the program's future recruiting outlook.
Quentin Coleman Commits, Solidifying 2026 Class
Wake Forest landed its third 2026 commitment from Quentin Coleman, a 6'3" shooting guard ranked 100th nationally, further strengthening what was ranked as the 8th best recruiting class in the nation by On3.
Program at a Crossroads Despite Juke Harris's Play
An analysis highlighted the Demon Deacons' struggles in the 2025-26 season, despite sophomore Juke Harris's elite performances, noting the team's likely ninth consecutive NCAA Tournament miss.
Loss to No. 13 Virginia
Wake Forest fell to No. 13 Virginia 75-70 in a hard-fought game, with Juke Harris and Mekhi Mason combining for over half of Wake Forest's points.
Regular Season Finale Win Over Cal
Wake Forest concluded its 2025-26 regular season with an 80-73 comeback victory over Cal, led by Juke Harris's 31 points and 15 rebounds. The game also celebrated Rodney Rogers Day and honored graduating seniors.
Juke Harris Named ACC Most Improved Player
Sophomore guard Juke Harris was named the ACC Most Improved Player, becoming the second Wake Forest player to win the award, following a season where he averaged 21.7 points per game. He also received a second-team All-ACC selection.
ACC Tournament First Round vs. Virginia Tech
Wake Forest, as the No. 13 seed, is scheduled to face No. 12 seed Virginia Tech in the first round of the 2026 ACC Men's Basketball Tournament at 7:00 p.m. in Charlotte, N.C.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
The Wake Forest Demon Deacons men's basketball program has experienced a period of transition and rebuilding in recent years, striving to recapture the consistent success it enjoyed in past decades. Following the departure of Danny Manning in 2020, Steve Forbes was appointed as head coach, tasked with revitalizing the program amidst the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Forbes quickly made an impact, and in March 2022, he signed a long-term contract extension, signaling the university's confidence in his leadership and vision for the team.
The 2024-25 season showed significant progress for the Demon Deacons. They finished with a respectable 21-11 overall record and a 13-7 mark in ACC play, tying for fourth place in the conference. Despite this strong regular-season performance, Wake Forest ultimately lost in the quarterfinals of the 2025 ACC Tournament to North Carolina and was not invited to the NCAA Tournament, declining an NIT invitation. This extended the program's absence from the NCAA Tournament, with their last appearance dating back to 2017.
The 2025-26 season, as of March 10, 2026, has seen the Demon Deacons navigate a challenging schedule, concluding the regular season with a 16-15 overall record and a 7-11 record in the ACC, placing them 13th in the conference. A significant bright spot has been the emergence of sophomore guard Juke Harris, who has become the face of the program. Harris averaged 21.7 points per game in his second season, a scoring accomplishment not seen from a Demon Deacon since Tim Duncan in 1997, and was recognized as the ACC Most Improved Player on March 10, 2026. He also earned a second-team All-ACC selection.
Key turning points in the 2025-26 season included promising early wins against teams like Michigan and Texas Tech, followed by a mid-season slump that saw them start conference play 2-8. While they showed signs of recovery with a three-game ACC win streak, the team faced further setbacks. The regular season concluded with an 80-73 comeback victory over Cal on March 8, 2026, a game that also celebrated Rodney Rogers Day and honored graduating seniors.
Looking ahead, the program faces some offseason uncertainty with several important players, including Nate Calmese, Tre'Von Spillers, and Mekhi Mason, set to graduate. However, Coach Forbes has also secured a highly-rated 2026 recruiting class, ranked 8th nationally and 1st in the ACC by On3, featuring top prospects like Quentin Coleman and twin forwards Gavin and Gallagher Placide, which offers a promising outlook for future seasons. As of March 10, 2026, Wake Forest is competing in the first round of the ACC Tournament against Virginia Tech, with their NCAA Tournament hopes likely hinging on a deep run in the conference tournament.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Wake Forest Demon Deacons Men's Basketball Program made different choices?