Memphis star guard PJ Haggerty, a Second-Team All-American and the 2025 AAC Player of the Year, is one of the best players still available in the transfer portal. After an impressive performance at the NBA Draft Combine, Haggerty is weighing his professional options but appears increasingly likely to return to college.
Under coach Jerome Tang, Kansas State has become one of the top programs to land Haggerty, reportedly outpacing NC State with a hefty NIL package. With increasing rumors that he might end up in Manhattan, Kansas, let’s take a look at how he could fit into K-State’s starting five.
How Would PJ Haggerty Fit Into K-State’s Starting Rotation?
After redshirting at TCU in 2022–23, Haggerty erupted at Tulsa, averaging 21.2 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 3.8 assists. His move to Memphis in 2024–25 further improved his game further, leading the Tigers to a 29–6 record and a No. 5 seed in the NCAA Tournament.
Haggerty averaged 21.7 points, 5.8 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.8 steals, shooting 36.4% from three and ranking second nationally in free throws made (224). His 42-point outburst in the AAC Tournament quarterfinals and 23 points in the title game showed his clutch scoring skills.
SOURCE: Kansas State has emerged as a serious contender for Memphis transfer and All-American G PJ Haggerty, multiple sources tell me.
NC State had been the favorites for the top transfer, but sources add that Kansas State “has the momentum.”
Source adds that Kansas State’s… https://t.co/qvyTZP8XA3 pic.twitter.com/CCv1JMJIvJ
— Hitmen Hoops (@HitmenHoops) May 21, 2025
At the NBA Draft Combine in May, Haggerty further impressed the critics by hitting 73% in shooting drills and averaging 17.0 points across two scrimmages, including an 18-point, seven-rebound performance.
While some project him as a mid-to-late second-round pick, he’s keeping his options open, with a decision deadline of June 15. There are some rumors of a big NIL ask from his side.
Kansas State is coming off a 16–17 season, missing the NCAA Tournament for the second-straight year. Coach Jerome Tang has decided to aggressively use the portal to reshape the roster.
With only three returners, including point guard David Castillo and forwards Mobi Ikegwuruka, the Wildcats have added MAC Player of the Year Nate Johnson, forward Marcus Johnson, sharpshooter Abdi Bashir, Serbian guard Andrej Kostic, and JUCO center Khamari McGriff.
Assuming Haggerty commits, he’d slot seamlessly into Kansas State’s starting five. Currently, the projected lineup could look like this:
- PG: David Castillo
- SG: PJ Haggerty
- SF: Nate Johnson
- PF: Marcus Johnson
- C: Khamari McGriff
Haggerty’s ability to play both guard spots offers a lot of flexibility while mapping the positions. He could shift to point guard, with Castillo sliding to the bench, or pair with Nate Johnson in a high-octane backcourt.
His 3.7 assists and 1.8 steals per game suggest he can facilitate and disrupt defensively, addressing K-State’s need for a leader who can adapt to his situations.
In the end, if Haggerty lands in Manhattan, Kansas State could make an unstoppable starting lineup.
His scoring, paired with Tang’s transfer haul, addresses last season’s offensive stagnation. While shot allocation and defensive integration remain a hiccup for the team to look up to, Haggerty’s proven production across three programs shows he is always ready to adapt to any starting line he ever gets placed in.
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