Rebuild in full swing: C.J. Jones becomes latest departure for K-State

Kansas State guard C.J. Jones, one of the last remaining holdovers from last season’s team, has entered the transfer portal, according to media reports.

Jones, a 6-foot-5 junior from East St. Louis, Illinois, transferred to Manhattan before last season after two productive years with the University of Illinois-Chicago Flames in the Missouri Valley Conference.

He averaged 5.7 points across 33 games last season for the Wildcats, including nine starts. Known for his size in the backcourt and flashes of shooting ability, Jones struggled with consistency, shooting just 30% from beyond the arc.

Among his best performances, Jones scored 10 points and grabbed six rebounds in a win over No. 23 West Virginia, shooting 4-for-6 from the field in 28 minutes. He also contributed 10 points and four rebounds in a victory over No. 10 Arizona, playing 20 minutes. At minimum, he was expected to provide veteran depth next season.

With his departure, Kansas State now returns only three players from last year’s roster: point guard David Castillo and forwards Mobi Ikegwuruka and Taj Manning.

Head coach Jerome Tang and the men’s basketball staff are currently undertaking a full rebuild and will now have an additional scholarship to offer.

The Wildcats have recently secured commitments from Akron guard Nate Johnson, the MAC Player of the Year; Abdi Bashir, a 6-foot-7 sophomore guard from Omaha, Nebraska; and Khamari McGriff, a transfer forward from the University of North Carolina Wilmington.

Kansas State finished the season 16–17 overall and 9–11 in Big 12 play, tying for ninth place in the conference. The Wildcats missed the NCAA Tournament for the second straight year.

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