Kansas State has surged into serious contention for Memphis point guard PJ Haggerty, the No. 2 overall player in the transfer portal, according to multiple reports.
Haggerty, who is testing the NBA draft waters, has shifted his focus back to college programs following a strong showing at the NBA Draft Combine.
He impressed scouts during scrimmages and remains undecided on staying in the draft or returning to school.
NC State was initially viewed as the frontrunner, but sources say Kansas State has taken the lead, with a reported NIL package that could top what the Wolfpack are offering. Memphis, his most recent team, is no longer pursuing a return, per reports.
Haggerty earned Second Team All-America honors this past season and was named the 2025 AAC Player of the Year after averaging 21.7 points, 5.8 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.8 steals.
He posted similar numbers the year before at Tulsa (21.2 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 3.8 APG) and previously redshirted at TCU.
Kansas State missed the NCAA Tournament for a second straight year, but head coach Jerome Tang has aggressively rebuilt the roster through the portal.
The Wildcats return just three scholarship players—point guard David Castillo and forwards Mobi Ikegwuruka and Taj Manning.
So far, K-State has added a strong transfer class headlined by MAC Player of the Year Nate Johnson (Akron), Bowling Green forward Marcus Johnson (16.2 PPG, 5.2 RPG), Khamari McGriff (UNC Wilmington), Abdi Bashir (Omaha), Serbian guard Andrej Kostic, and 6-11 JUCO center Stephen Osei, who is expected to redshirt.
The Wildcats finished 16–17 overall and 9–11 in Big 12 play last season, tying for ninth in the conference.
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