The rebuilding phase in Manhattan is over—and so is any uncertainty surrounding first-year Kansas State head coach Casey Alexander’s recruiting approach. With a wave of transfer portal additions, the Wildcats’ roster is beginning to take shape and is starting to look highly promising.
Kansas State is close to completing its roster, thanks to an influx of intriguing transfer talent. Alexander has fully embraced the portal, making aggressive use of it to reshape the team. Recent commitments from New Mexico transfer JT Rock and former LSU forward Matt Gilhool add even more strength to an already growing class.
What sets Alexander’s strategy apart is where he’s finding his talent. While a few additions come from major conferences—like Gilhool, Oregon transfer Dezdrick Lindsay, and former ACC guard Jaden Schutt—the bulk of the roster is being built with standout players from mid-major programs.
Players such as Colorado State point guard Brandon Rechsteiner, Murray State’s Brock Vice, Georgetown transfer Isaiah Abraham, and JT Rock highlight this approach. Rather than focusing only on big-name programs, Alexander is targeting proven performers wherever they may be.
This strategy reflects his coaching roots. Before arriving at Kansas State, Alexander built his reputation at Belmont in the Missouri Valley Conference, where he consistently developed competitive teams and turned the Bruins into a mid-major force after taking over in 2019.
