Casey Alexander talks transfer portal, recruiting in the Big 12

TOPEKA (KSNT) – The offseason got off to a quick start for K-State men’s basketball head coach Casey Alexander, building his first roster for the Wildcats.

Alexander had his work cut out for him, returning just one player from the 2025-26 season: freshman Andrej Kostic.

The former Belmont head coach was excited to see Kostic, who shot 37.5% from three last season, return to Manhattan and continue to develop as a Wildcat.

“He [Kostic] was open and receptive to conversation,” Alexander said. “I give the people of Manhattan a lot of credit for his decision to stay. He feels like he’s loved there and feels very much appreciated, so that was a big part of his decision as well.”

When it comes to the portal, K-State saw many commitments early, with Alexander saying some players decided to play for the university without taking an official visit.

Alexander emphasizes that to him, it’s all about developing young talent that will show growth over time, and recruiting guys who are committed to the school and the program.

“I want guys that are about the team,” Alexander said. “I wanted to make it really clear that I didn’t want any of these guys coming to K-State if they were concerned about anything more than winning and being a great teammate, and playing together as a team.”

The new head coach spent the past seven seasons with the Belmont Bruins in the Missouri Valley Conference. Putting a roster together will look a little different in a power-five conference like the Big 12, where Alexander says size will remain an important part of his philosophy.

“I wouldn’t say our mission is to go out and get big,” Alexander said via Zoom. “Over my recent career, I’ve always aired on the side of size… I still kind of have that mentality, a little bit like bigger doesn’t have to mean better, but all things being equal, it will be.”

With 13 players on the current roster, Alexander says he could still add if he finds the right players to fit.

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