Former Kansas State forward Elias Rapieque entered the transfer portal last weekend, making him the final player from last season’s roster to opt out of head coach Casey Alexander’s first-year vision for the program. Now, he’s looking to prove that leaving was the right decision.
Context behind Rapieque’s portal entry
The transfer portal window closes on April 21 at midnight, giving players little time to decide. Rapieque has already made his choice and shows no signs of reversing it. He spent his entire college career just one season at Kansas State, first under Jerome Tang, then under interim coach Matthew Driscoll after Tang was dismissed for cause. Now that Casey Alexander has taken over, Rapieque has entered the portal. In the 2025–26 season, he averaged 3.7 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.5 assists while shooting 46% from the field. Wherever he ends up, his skills should make him a dependable rotational player.
What Rapieque’s departure means for Kansas State
The Wildcats have already added several forwards to replace him, including Georgetown transfer Isaiah Abraham, Oregon transfer Dezdrick Lindsay, and Miami transfer Timotej Malovec. Had Rapieque stayed, he would have faced stiff competition for a starting spot. Whether transferring was in his best interest is something only he can answer. His exit does clear the way for newcomers like high school commit Devin Hutcherson (class of 2027) and the other transfers.
Rapieque’s possible destinations
Leaving Kansas State doesn’t mean Rapieque can’t compete at the Power Four level. If trends hold, he could become the third player from last season’s team to join a school at that level, following P.J. Haggerty (Texas A&M) and Taj Manning (Iowa State). Rapieque has plenty of options. He would fit well on a rebuilding roster, such as Cincinnati or Creighton both of which, like Kansas State, are adjusting to new coaches. Cincinnati hired Jerrod Calhoun, who was previously linked to the Kansas State opening. A move to a mid-major program, perhaps in the A-10, is also possible. No reports currently suggest a favorite to land him.
