Kansas State men’s and women’s basketball teams are in vastly different spots as the transfer season gets underway. The men have a new head coach, Casey Alexander, and complete or almost complete roster turnover is expected.
On the other hand, the women’s team has a youthful bunch that showed a lot of promise at the end of the year, and if head coach Jeff Mittie could convince them to stay, they could be a dangerous team heading to next season.
However, convincing players to stay is not as easy as it used to be, and in the era of Name, Image and Likeness, fans and coaches have to be prepared for players to leave. Below is a list of players on both men’s and women’s teams who have already entered their names into the portal.
P.J. Haggerty, PG, Junior
P.J. Haggerty has entered the transfer portal, which means he will play for five teams in five years of college basketball. Everywhere Haggerty has gone, he has scored 20-plus points per game, which has earned him all-American honors along the way.
The junior should be highly sought after in the portal with some big-name schools that need a scoring point guard. Last season for the Wildcats, Haggerty averaged 23.4 ppg, 5.3 rpg and 3.8 apg.
Abdi Bashir Jr., SG, Junior
Abdi Bashir Jr. is one of the top shooters in the nation, as he was a 44% three point shooter this past year for K-State. Bashir got injured just five games into conference play, however, and never returned, ending his season short.
The junior from Omaha could have been a good fit for Casey Alexander’s offense if he decided to return, but he has decided to look elsewhere for his senior season. Bashir averaged 13.2 ppg, 2.2 rpg and 2.3 apg in his shortened stint with the Wildcats.
David Castillo, PG, Sophomore
After two seasons with K-State, David Castillo has decided to enter his name into the transfer portal. Castillo showed great growth from his freshman to sophomore season and always played with heart and hustle, no matter how the game or season was going.
Castillo is a bit undersized but is a good defender who finishes well against bigger bodies and can knock down the three-point shot consistently. The former four-star recruit may not garner a lot of attention in the portal, but he could be a steal for whoever lands him. Last season, Castillo averaged 10.3 ppg, 1.9 rpg and 1.8 apg.
Taj Manning, F, Junior
The longest tenured Wildcat, Taj Manning, has entered the portal after four seasons playing for Jerome Tang. Manning saw meaningful minutes on the floor this past season and carved out a starting role throughout Big 12 play.
Manning is an undersized forward but is active on both the offensive and defensive glass. He could thrive at a lower-level school where the bigs are more his height, and he has a chance to score more consistently. Last season, the redshirt junior averaged 4.2 ppg, 5.2 rpg and 0.9 apg in 17 starts.
Exavier Wilson, PG, Freshman (redshirted)
Exavier Wilson never saw any time in his freshman season for the Wildcats and will enter the portal looking for a new home next year. Wilson is an undersized point guard, but he got to go against players like P.J. Haggerty and David Castillo in practice, which should have tested him defensively.
Wilson had interest from quite a few mid-major programs out of high school, and due to his youth, should receive attention from those schools again, where he can make an impact.
Stephen Osei, F, Sophomore (redshirted)
Stephen Osei transferred to K-State from Casper College, a junior college in Wyoming. He was ranked as the sixth-best junior college transfer, but planned to redshirt due to recovering from an injury.
Osei is highly efficient from the floor as he shot over 60% from the field at Casper before coming to K-State. The sophomore forward will have four years of eligibility remaining and could be an intriguing prospect due to his youth, size and potential.
Jordan Speiser, SG, Freshman
The biggest upset for K-State women’s basketball is the loss of true freshman Jordan Speiser, who entered the portal with a do-not-contact tag. Speiser was starting to come alive toward the end of the season and particularly in the Big 12 tournament, when she was named to the all-tournament team.
The five-star freshman has an ultra-quick release and is deadly if she has a glimmer of an opening from the outside. Speiser, with her do-not-contact tag, may already have a place in mind for the future, but would garner heavy attention if not for it. Last year, she averaged 10.2 ppg, 3.5 rpg and 0.9 apg, along with shooting 35% from three.
Aniya’ Foy, G, Freshman
Another unfortunate freshman transfer for the Wildcats was Aniya’ Foy, who was also playing well toward the end of the season. Foy is a good shooter and defender, and while not being the flashiest player, she was on the court a lot due to her versatility.
Foy will most likely be looking for a bigger role with her new team, which K-State may not be able to offer. She is a former four-star recruit and showed a lot of promise, so she should be sought after fairly heavily as well. Last season, Foy averaged 4.3 ppg, 2.1 rpg and 0.3 apg.
Izela Arenas, G, Sophomore
Izela Arenas showed promise early on in the season for the Wildcats, but toward the end, she played in just one of the last seven games. Arenas is a decent shooter and drives well when going to her left hand, but wasn’t consistent enough defensively to stay on the court.
The sophomore guard transferred in from Louisville last season and now will go on to her third school in three years. Arenas is a little undersized but is quick and has potential, which could make her an attractive target in the portal. Last year, she averaged 6.7 ppg, 1.5 rpg and 0.8 apg.
