The craziest part of the college basketball calendar is here, with the transfer portal officially opening, and the sport’s version of free agency and roster management getting fully underway. Michigan State won’t be a stranger to the portal this year, with the coaching staff knowing the roster holes they must fill in order to make themselves a true Final Four contender next season.
A position that is most obviously known as a key to Michigan State’s future success is the center spot. With Carson Cooper departing the program, and the depth that follows being youthful and not totally ready for the biggest stage, the Spartans must find themselves a starting caliber center in the transfer portal.
While a starting quality center is at the forefront of the discussions, it is not out of the realm of possibility that the Spartans add a second center, to give some veteran depth to the unit.
Here, we are going to list potential prospects in the center market, both starting caliber and that could fill depth needs at the position:
Aiden Sherrell (Alabama)
The most obvious candidate for this list, Alabama transfer Aiden Sherrell might be the No. 1 want from all of Spartan nation. A Detroit (MI) native, the Spartans were in heavy pursuit of the big man before he committed to the Crimson Tide out of high school.
Sherrell spent two years at Alabama, and in this most recent year, averaged 11.1 points 6.2 rebounds and 2.2 blocks per game. He is someone that not only can provide offense and rebounding, but he fits the bill defensively and would fit right into the MSU defense while adding a high level of rim protection. Sherrell ranked 14th nationally in blocks per game.
As of now, it appears that MSU is in the mix alongside Michigan and Providence, amongst others.
Arrinten Page (Northwestern)
Page is looking for his fourth school in four years but showed in 2025-26 that he can play at a Big Ten level. With Northwestern, Page averaged 10.2 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game.
Previously at USC and Cincinnati, a breakout season with the Wildcats has him as a high priority in the center market. Page will be able to come in and immediately play both offensively and defensively at a Big Ten level if the Spartans want to go that route.
Izzo will know Page well, through scouting amongst other things, but also his relationship with Northwestern head coach Chris Collins.
Oswin Erhunmwunse (Providence)
This falls a touch more in the developmental route, but a proven starter at the power conference level, Oswin Erhunmwunse is someone who plays like an Izzo center. The development side falls offensively, where the scoring route has fallen behind the rest of his game.
After playing in 65 games, starting in 55, with Providence, this past season saw Erhunmwunse average 6.9 points, 8.3 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game. Now, the defense and rebounding is there, but his scoring has not caught up.
While the numbers may not be there, Erhunmwunse shot 67% from the field this past year. Only shooting 4.5 shots per game, more offensive usage could definitely see an uptick in his scoring, which would pair very nicely with his defensive game.
Brandon Garrison (Kentucky)
Many do not know that Michigan State almost landed Brandon Garrison two years ago, and Izzo could turn back to this well now. After losing out on Garrison to Kentucky, after he went to Lexington from Oklahoma State, he did not totally live up to expectations with the Wildcats.
Only a 5.3 point, 4.0 rebound per game guy with the Wildcats, Garrison did not live up to the numbers that he put up as a freshman with the Cowboys. One thing is for certain, though, Garrison has the skill to play at a high level, it just needs to be developed and brought out of him.
No one likes a good development project like Izzo, and this is a route he could look to go.
Magoon Gwath (San Diego State)
A massive 7-foot rim protector, Gwath has all the potential in the world to be an elite big man in college basketball. Playing in 51 games (42 starts), Gwath averaged 8.7 points, 4.8 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game with San Diego State.
Coming from a defensive team like SDSU, Gwath would have the foundational pieces Izzo would look for to bring out the best in the big man. NBA eyes will be on Gwath wherever he ends up next.
Bangot Dak (Colorado)
A strong development project by Buffaloes head coach Tad Boyle, Bangot Dak is moving on after three years in Boulder and is going to get a strong look by the top programs.
A 7-footer that has 90 career games under his belt, this past year, a breakout season for Dak, he averaged 11.5 points, 6.5 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game.
The fit between Dak and MSU is not one that is totally clear, but he is certainly a prospect that should be on the MSU big board.
Anton Bonke (Charlotte)
Anton Bonke is someone who found the perfect landing spot with Charlotte and excelled enough to make himself an option for high-major programs. A massive 7-foot-2 center, he is someone that provides elite rim protection with a strong post scoring presence.
Averaging 10.6 points, 8.3 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game, he is going to get a look by top collegiate programs. The Spartans will look here, as he provides the rim protecting and offensive style that Izzo loves, but his defensive limitations may keep MSU from full pursuit.
Moustapha Thiam (Cincinnati)
Starting his career at UCF, Thiam followed a great freshman year with a stellar season with 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 is going to have a ton of suitors.
Someone with size that plays at a high level on both ends of the court, Izzo should definitely make a call to Thiam.
Treyson Anderson (North Dakota State)
A prospect the Spartans have seen very recently, and are reportedly in contact with, Treyson Anderson from North Dakota State could be a great floor spacer for the Spartans, while adding center depth.
Averaging 10.4 points and 5.3 rebounds per game this past year, Anderson is an inside out scorer. Shooting 36% from three on three attempts per game, he would be a great second unit option at the center position.
Noah Feddersen (North Dakota State)
Another North Dakota State big the Spartans have reportedly been in contact with, and obviously are very familiar with, Noah Fedderson is a post player that provides an old school level of offense.
A 9.3-point, 5.0 rebound and 1.0 blocks per game guy, Fedderson is a low post player that has paint ability on both ends of the floor. With just one year of eligibility remaining, he could provide great depth to the center position.
BONUS: Chol Machot (Charleston)
Machot is solely a developmental piece, but he has massive potential to work with. In just 19.8 minutes per game, 8.9 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.5 blocks per game on 59.2% shooting. With little usage, Machot excelled, and showed why a power conference school is going to take a chance on his talent.
This is the perfect defensive anchor for Izzo to take a chance on, and potentially build his offensive skillset, although his potential may come with too much of a price tag.
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This article originally appeared on Spartans Wire: Ten potential transfer centers Michigan State basketball could pursue
Reporting by Cory Linsner, Spartans Wire / Spartans Wire
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