Changes are on the horizon for the Kansas State basketball team as new head coach Casey Alexander begins reshaping the roster. According to Kellis Robinett, Alexander anticipates a different-looking squad next season, which is expected given his recent hiring and the Wildcats’ disappointing campaign that included 20 losses and a 15th-place finish in the Big 12 Conference.
Speaking at his introductory press conference, Alexander acknowledged that significant roster turnover is likely in the short term. However, he emphasized that constant rebuilding is not his long-term vision. Instead, he aims to establish stability by prioritizing high school recruiting, retaining players, and fostering steady development over multiple seasons.
Rather than relying heavily on the transfer portal each year, Alexander intends to use it selectively—to complement a strong core of returning players. He made it clear that he does not want to rely on bringing in large groups of transfers and hoping they gel, but instead wants a program with a clear identity, recognizable players, and consistent style of play from season to season.
Alexander also stressed the importance of continuity, both on the court and within the community. He wants fans to become familiar with the team’s players and avoid the cycle of completely overhauling the roster every year. While he admits it may take time to reach that point, his goal is to build a sustainable and recognizable program.
This philosophy could appeal to fans who grew frustrated with recent transfer-heavy rosters under former coach Jerome Tang, where high school recruiting took a back seat. Alexander plans to shift that balance, focusing more on recruiting local talent while still scouting nationally and even internationally, including Europe.
In the immediate future, his attention will turn to evaluating and connecting with current players once they return from spring break. He has expressed interest in potentially retaining players like David Castillo and Taj Manning, while also keeping options open for others such as PJ Haggerty, Andrej Kostic, and Abdi Bashir.
Additionally, Alexander may look to bring in familiar talent from his previous stint at Belmont Bruins. One possible addition is Tyler Lundblade, who averaged 15.6 points per game and is expected to enter the transfer portal.
For now, Alexander’s initial roster at Kansas State will likely be a mix of returning players, transfers from Belmont, incoming high school recruits, and a select group of transfer portal additions—marking the beginning of a new era built on continuity and long-term development.
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