RALEIGH, N.C. -- When Pat Andree's name entered the transfer portal, Kevin Keatts didn't waste any time. On the same day, Keatts called Andree and spoke to him about nailing down a time to visit -- both Andree coming to Raleigh and Keatts visiting Bethlehem, Pa.

Days after speaking with Andree about the potential of bringing him in for a visit, Keatts was on a plane flying to Bethlehem to see the 6-foot-8, 225-pound grad transfer. Simply having that much interest from the head coach of a program proved everything Andree needed to know about Keatts' commitment to him.

"I already have a great relationship with coach Keatts so far," Andree said. "Having him fly out here to campus just to see me shows me how important I am in his eyes. I've done a lot of research on NC State, watched the team during the NIT and feel like my game would translate to coach Keatts' system.

"I feel like I've done literally everything I can to learn about NC State except see the campus. It's a great school and I couldn't turn down the opportunity to come visit."

Andree will take that visit from April 12-13, counting as one of his official visits.

To say that Andree's game would translate to the Wolfpack might be a bit of an understatement. After having a limited rotation of bigs during the 2018-19 season and streaky outside shooting, bringing in Andree would mean locking down a player that averaged over 42 percent shooting from behind the arc and more than six rebounds per game over his last two seasons.

Though he's experienced a wealth of personal success and been a part of two 20-win campaigns with Lehigh, he never made the postseason with the Mountain Hawks. And with a chance to graduate after just three years in the program and add another graduate degree at a school of his choosing, Andree has plenty of opportunities lying ahead of him.

"I was honestly just looking for a different experience," Andree said of his reasoning for entering the transfer portal. "I'm going to finish my undergrad degree here in May, so it's always going to be like home to me. But I want to have two colleges I attended and be able to get a degree from both.

"I can't thank Lehigh enough for what they've done for me, but I honestly feel like there's an element to my game that I haven't reached here. I'm looking forward to getting to a program that can challenge me to grow as a player and compete for opportunities that Lehigh hasn't been able to offer."

Along with NC State, Andree mentioned TCU, Pittsburgh, Boston College, Kansas State, Illinois, Fordham and Duquesne as the teams that have been in talks with him for an official visit. But the interest from the Pack caught him by surprise, especially since he didn't have any built-in relationships with the players or staff before Keatts reached out to him.

Keatts hasn't been the only coach from NC State recruiting Andree, though, as Roy Roberson has joined him in trying to bring in the hybrid forward.

"To have interest from a program the caliber of NC State just means a lot," Andree said. "I've just been honored by all of the schools that have reached out, but especially NC State. Seeing coach Keatts and what he's done and where he's taking the program and with all the history at NC State from Jimmy V and now coach Keatts, it means a lot to get an offer and visit."

Despite shooting 41.9 percent on 3-pointers last season -- higher than any player on the NC State roster with 100 attempts outside of Markell Johnson -- Andree said he still doesn't feel like he's reached his full potential. Whether it's as a shooter or on the boards, Andree knows teams will know his strengths at the Power Five level.

Regardless of his role, Andree is ready to come in and work at his next destination.

"I'm not looking to go anywhere and demand to be a starter. I'm realistic and know that there is serious talent on every team I'm looking at," Andree said. "I know that anywhere I go, I'm going to have to compete for my job. Nothing in life is given to you and it's basically a clean slate when I leave Lehigh.

"I just want to go to a place where I can make an instant impact for my final year. Whether it's as a starter or off the bench, I want to be somewhere that really needs what I have to offer and wants to be a winner."

So how much interest does Andree have from the Pack? He said Keatts has been straightforward with him from the start.

"Coach Keatts has made it very clear to me that I'm one of his major priorities and that's all I can really ask for as a player," Andree said. "Obviously I know there are other players that he's recruiting -- that's just the business of college basketball -- but so far I feel like he's made me one of his top targets and NC State is high on my list, too."