The transfer portal has nearly emptied the Kansas State men’s basketball roster for 2025-26, with major contributors like P.J. Haggerty, Taj Manning, and David Castillo all departing. One notable player, however, has yet to reveal his plans.
Elias Rapieque still weighing his Kansas State Wildcats future
Junior forward Elias Rapieque, originally from Berlin, Germany, has not announced whether he’ll enter the portal or remain with first-year head coach Casey Alexander. Until he makes a decision, there’s plenty at stake for both sides.
Rapieque played in 20 games last season, averaging 3.7 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.5 assists in 15.3 minutes per game, while shooting 46% overall and 40% from deep. He missed a significant stretch due to injury from Jan. 10 through late February, returning in a 79–70 loss to the Colorado Buffaloes.
If he stays, he would join Andrej Kostic now a sophomore as one of the few returning pieces. But the path forward won’t be simple.
How Rapieque fits into the Wildcats’ future rotation
At 6-foot-9, Rapieque would face heavy competition from incoming transfers Isaiah Abraham (Georgetown), Matt Gilhool (LSU), and Dezdrick Lindsay (Oregon). His chances as a big are just as unclear, with Kansas State targeting New Mexico transfer JT Rock and Murray State center Brock Vice.
Vice hasn’t logged as many minutes, but overtaking Rock given his size, efficiency, and postseason experience—would be a steep climb.
If Rapieque is seeking a starting role, the transfer portal may present the best opportunity. Staying at Kansas State likely means serving as a rotational piece and dependable reserve.
