Hunter Sallis, the standout player that Wake Forest head coach Steve Forbes has eagerly awaited, has announced he will return to the Demon Deacons for the 2024-25 season.
Sallis declared for the NBA Draft on April 14th, following a stellar season after transferring from Gonzaga. The 6-5 guard averaged 18.0 points per game, ranking 5th in the ACC, and shot 48.7% from the field, the best percentage among guards in the conference.
His return marks the first time Wake Forest has retained a First-Team All-ACC player since Justin Gray in the 2003-04 season. Sallis’ return solidifies the team’s lineup, as he contributes significantly to both scoring and playmaking. The Demon Deacons will also have three returning starters—Cam Hildreth and Efton Reid—along with reserves Parker Friedrichsen and Marqus Mitrovic Marion, who are expected to make an impact in their second year.
Sallis has noted the new additions to the team from the transfer portal, including Louisville guard Ty-Laur Johnson, App State forward Tre’Von Spillers, Iowa State forward Omaha Biliew, DePaul center Churchill Abass, and Alabama guard Davin Cosby.
According to CBS and 247Sports’ Isaac Trotter, Sallis’ return gives Wake Forest a significant boost, potentially making them a strong contender in the ACC. With the combination of retained talent and new transfers, the team is poised to be a formidable force and could earn a spot in the preseason top-25 rankings and make a serious run in the NCAA Tournament.
With this announcement, Wake Forest now has 11 players on scholarship for the 2024-25 season and is expected to add one more player to complete their roster.
