Michigan State basketball has hit a bit of an impasse within their transfer portal pursuit of a center prospect. The Spartans are aiming to get a starting caliber player at the position to replace Carson Cooper. The top two options for the Spartans, Aiden Sherrell and Samet Yititoglu, both committed to Indiana, forcing MSU to turn to the next group of players on their big board.
Now, getting a center is a non negotiable for the Spartans this offseason, but the coaching staff needs to make sure that it is an impactful piece to the roster in 2026-27.
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With a new board of players surfacing for the Spartans, it will be intriguing to see who the Spartans spend the most effort on recruiting. Check out the newest names on the big board:
Anton Bonke (Charlotte)
Feb 8, 2026; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Charlotte 49ers center Anton Bonke (49) handles the ball against Memphis Tigers forward Aaron Bradshaw (11) during the first half at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Wesley Hale-Imagn Images
Bonke starts off as the most obvious name on the list, considering he is fresh off of a visit to East Lansing. A 7-foot-2 big from Port Vila, Vanuatu, the Spartans have taken a massive liking to the transfer from Charlotte.
With the 49ers, he averaged 10.6 points, 8.3 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game this past season. Ranking in the 94th-percentile for block rate, as well as the 97th percentile in DReb% and OReb%, this is a big man that fits the style of play Tom Izzo wants from his team.
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Aside from MSU, Bonke already visited Kansas and is considering Cincinnati, NC State, South Carolina, Clemson, Arkansas, TCU, USC and Gonzaga.
Cincinnati Bearcats center Moustapha Thiam (52) makes a basket from two point range in the second half of the Phillips 66 Big 12 Men’s Basketball Tournament between the Cincinnati Bearcats and Utah Utes, Tuesday, March 10, 2026, at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, MO. Bearcats won 73-66.
Starting his career at UCF, Thiam followed a great freshman year with a stellar season at Cincinnati this past season. Averaging 12.8 points, 7.1 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game with the Bearcats, the 7-foot-2 center showed the type of superstar prowess he possesses. Thiam is someone with size that plays at a high level on both ends of the court, providing both offensive and defensive upside for wherever he lands.
Right now, the main competition for the Spartans appears to be St. John’s, UConn, Gonzaga, Arkansas, Duke, Kansas, Texas A&M, Tennessee and UCF.
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Dec 29, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; Washington Huskies center Franck Kepnang (11) shoots the ball against the Utah Utes during the first half at Alaska Airlines Arena at Hec Edmundson Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images
The third and final confirmed center the Spartans are in on, Franck Kepnang has played for both Oregon and Washington in his college career. Struggling with injury problems most of his career, Kepnang finally had a healthy season in 2025-26, where he averaged 6.2 points, 6.3 rebounds and 2.1 blocks.
Obviously, it feels like there is far more defensive than offensive upside here, but Kepnang is a collegiate veteran that could give the Spartans a high floor at the position.
Oklahoma, Ohio State, Seton Hall, NC State, Michigan, UConn and Saint Louis are all with Michigan State in contacting the Washington big.
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This article originally appeared on Spartans Wire: Resetting Michigan State basketball’s transfer center big board