Kansas State has its point guard. And it’s a big one.
The Wildcats added Second Team All-American P.J. Haggerty, a high-impact transfer who immediately slots in as the starter for the 2025–26 season.
After back-to-back NCAA Tournament misses, head coach Jerome Tang went all-in on the portal. Haggerty headlines a revamped roster that brings hope back to Manhattan.
Only three scholarship players return: point guard David Castillo and forwards Mobi Ikegwuruka and Taj Manning. Now, the point guard position is deeper and more dangerous.
The Guy: P.J. Haggerty
Last year at Memphis, Haggerty averaged 21.7 points, 5.8 boards, 3.7 assists, and 1.8 steals, earning AAC Player of the Year honors.
He shot 47.6% from the field, 36.4% from deep, and 81.8% at the line—and carried the Tigers to their third NCAA Tournament appearance in four years.
He brings exactly what K-State lacked: toughness, scoring punch, and foul-drawing ability.
According to CBS Sports, Kansas State guards ranked last in Division I (364th out of 364) in drawing fouls from pick-and-roll plays. Haggerty, by himself, equaled the total free throws made by K-State’s entire guard group last season.
"He’s no empty-stats guy," CBS wrote. "He turned into a three-level scorer and posted a 20% assist rate."
At 6-foot-3, Haggerty can run the offense or play off the ball. Media reports say he picked K-State specifically to play point guard and showcase his skills for the next level. He’ll get that chance.
The last time Tang had a PG this electric? Markquis Nowell—and that ended in an Elite Eight run. The blueprint is there.
The Backup: David Castillo
Castillo had a quiet freshman season but showed flashes. He played in 32 games, starting two, and averaged 2.4 points in 10 minutes per game. He shot 22.1% from the field and 25.4% from three.
The 4-star recruit was a top-15 point guard nationally and the No. 1 player in Kansas, per ESPN and 247Sports.
With Haggerty taking the lead, Castillo can settle into a defined role off the bench and continue to develop. Expect him to see time in small-ball lineups or when Haggerty plays off the ball.
The Newcomer: Exavier Wilson
Wilson, a 6-foot-1 freshman from Columbia, Missouri, was rated the No. 10 player in the state and No. 32 point guard nationally by 247Sports. He chose K-State over several other D-I offers.
“I’m unselfish, I can get a bucket when needed, and I love to defend,” Wilson told 247Sports. “I’ll bring energy every day.”
He’s likely headed for a redshirt, but could play in a few games this season. A strong camp could change that.
What It Means:
Kansas State went 16–17 overall and 9–11 in Big 12 play last season, finishing ninth. The Wildcats needed a primary ball-handler and go-to scorer—and now they’ve got both in Haggerty.
If the pieces click, this team could be back in the tournament conversation.
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