MANHATTAN โ Kansas State basketball coach Jerome Tan has been as methodical as ever in building his 2024-25 Wildcat basketball roster so far.
The situation may change in the coming days.
With two key transfer candidates on campus Wednesday and two others playing following recent visits, the Wildcats could be a serious upgrade heading into the 2023-24 season. Some of them are seriously pushing towards the goal line.
On Wednesday, the Wildcats announced that freshman guard RJ Jones was entering the transfer portal, making him available on scholarship. Also on Tuesday, forward Arthur Kalma declared for the NBA Draft, but there is a chance he will withdraw his name and return as a senior.
The Wildcats' biggest immediate need is center after starter Jerrell Colbert enters the portal and Will McNair graduates.
Rutgers center Clifford Omoruyi and Arkansas shooting guard Kalife Battle were each scheduled to visit K-State starting Wednesday. The Wildcats are also awaiting decisions on 6-foot-11 Florida State forward Bubba Miller and Villanova guard Brendan Hausen.
Related:Kansas State basketball coach Jerome Tan: Doug McDaniel was a priority for the Wildcats
The Wildcats have been chasing Omoruyi, a 6-foot-11, 240-pound post player and third-year starter at Rutgers, since he entered the portal in late March. He's had a long list of suitors, but it looks like he's finally narrowing it down.
Omoruyi, a native of Nigeria, averaged 10.4 points, 8.3 rebounds and 2.9 blocked shots per game, emerging as a defensive rim protector and earning Big Ten all-conference honorable mention as a senior. He has already visited Georgetown and is planning a trip to Alabama this weekend, but it appears he hopes to finalize his deal while in Manhattan.
Battle, a 6-5, 185-pound big guard who can score from anywhere on the floor for the Wildcats, played one season at Butler before transferring to Temple and transferring to Arkansas last year. In one season with the Razorbacks, he started 11 of 30 games and averaged 14.3 points, shooting 36.2 percent from 3-point range and 86.6 percent from the free throw line.
Miller, whose decision may hinge on interest from the NBA, is a 6-win native of Spain who started 32 of 33 games and averaged 7.6 points and 4.9 rebounds as a sophomore at Florida State. He is an athletic player with 11 losses and 204 pounds. Some are comparing him to former Wildcat N'Quan Tomlin.
Related:Kansas State basketball team acquires former Michigan State standout guard from transfer portal
Hausen, a 6-4, 205-pound sophomore, spent two seasons as a backup at Villanova and averaged 6.2 points in 17.7 minutes per game in 2023-24. But like Battle, he will provide a much-needed perimeter scoring threat after shooting 38 percent from 3-point range.
If Kalma decides to remain in the draft, the Wildcats will be without their top three scorers from last year's 19-15 team. He was third on the team with 14.4 points per game and led the Wildcats in rebounding with an average of 7.0 points.
K-State already has two portal transfers in point guard Doug McDaniel from Michigan State and shooting guard CJ Jones from Chicago, Illinois. The Wildcats also signed four-star high school guard David Castillo in November.
RJ Jones' departure leaves the Wildcats with at least four scholarships, and three more depending on Kalma's final decision and whether forward David Nguessan and guard Ques Glover return as super seniors. Money may be given.
Arne Green is based in Salina and covers Kansas State University sports for the Gannett Network. You can contact him at: agreen@gannett.com Or on Twitter @arnegreen.