Kansas State coach Jerome Tang made a major late offseason move by securing Memphis guard PJ Haggerty, who withdrew from the NBA Draft to join the Wildcats. Tang, methodically rebuilding a depleted roster, now boasts one of the nation’s top-five transfer classes for 2025-26, according to 247Sports.
Kansas State has drawn national attention by combining high-level scoring, experience, and versatility. With this influx of talent, the Wildcats appear poised for a strong NCAA Tournament run, but can this transfer haul elevate them to true championship contender status?
Will Jerome Tang’s Kansas State Elite Transfer Class Lead to a Championship Run?
The crown jewel of Kansas State’s transfer class is undeniably 5-star guard PJ Haggerty. Transferring from Memphis, Haggerty averaged an impressive 21.7 points per game last season, ranking third nationally in scoring. His accolades include AAC Player of the Year and a second-team All-America nod.
Alongside his scoring, Haggerty contributed 5.8 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.8 steals per contest, shooting 47.6% overall and 36% from 3-point range.
His leadership helped Memphis to a 29-8 record and both the AAC regular-season and tournament championships. Haggerty’s ability to lead a high-major offense marks him as a potential game-changer for the Wildcats.
Kansas State now boasts a top-5 transfer class on 247Sports 🌾
5⭐️ PJ Haggerty – 21.7 PPG at MEM
4⭐️ Nate Johnson – 14.0 PPG at Akron
4⭐️ Abdi Bashir Jr. – 20.1 PPG at Monmouth
4⭐️ Tyreek Smith – 8.2 PPG at MEM
3⭐️ Khamari McGriff – 11.5 PPG at UNCWJerome Tang locked in 👀 pic.twitter.com/tJD0xCN39J
— College Basketball Report (@CBKReport) May 27, 2025
But Kansas State’s incoming group goes beyond a single star. Nate Johnson from Akron, a 4-star guard, averaged 14 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 3.4 assists while leading Akron to a MAC title and NCAA berth. Johnson brings 92 college games and a reputation for clutch performances.
Abdi Bashir Jr. of Monmouth, another 4-star recruit, averaged 20.1 points and shot 38.3% from three, setting the Coastal Athletic Association’s record for three-pointers in a season and earning first-team All-CAA honors.
Forward Tyreek Smith, standing 6’8″, is a defensive force with 1.7 blocks per game and a 60% career shooting percentage; he averaged 8.2 points and 5.4 rebounds at SMU. Khamari McGriff from UNC Wilmington, a 3-star forward, was a top sixth man nationally, posting 11.6 points on 66.1% shooting while providing energy off the bench.
Coach Jerome Tang’s roster now boasts a mix of scoring, versatility, and defense. Haggerty and Bashir Jr. stretch defenses, Johnson offers secondary scoring and playmaking, while Smith and McGriff add size and rim protection. Many transfers have NCAA Tournament experience, which should help navigate Big 12 play and March Madness.
Still, challenges remain. Building chemistry among several high-usage transfers is critical, and the Wildcats need to establish a consistent defensive identity despite Smith’s shot-blocking prowess. The Big 12’s fierce competition also poses a major hurdle.
With Haggerty’s commitment, Tang’s roster now counts 12 players for 2025-26, assuming Smith gains an extra eligibility year after sitting out last season. The Wildcats lost all five starters from last season due to graduation or transfers, including six players who left from a 16-17 record squad.
K-State’s incoming transfers include guards Bashir, Johnson, forwards Marcus Johnson (Bowling Green), McGriff, junior college forward Stephen Osei (Casper CC), Serbian international guard Andrej Kostic, and high school point guard Exavier Wilson from Columbia, Missouri.
KEEP READING: Why College Basketball Players Keep Transfer Options Open After Declaring for the NBA Draft
If Tang can quickly forge cohesion and defensive consistency, this deep, talented transfer class positions Kansas State as a strong dark horse contender with the potential to make history in March.
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