The closing hours of the transfer portal window brought one significant gut punch and one timely answer for Florida State. Thomas Bassong, who had publicly committed to returning to the Seminoles as recently as April 8, had a change of heart and entered the transfer portal on the final day of the window, a stunning reversal that opened a glaring hole in what had been a meticulously constructed roster.
Luke Loucks responded swiftly, landing Italian forward Elisée Assui and Wake Forest transfer Cooper Schwieger. Schwieger visited FSU on Thursday and committed to the Seminoles before the portal window closed, giving Loucks a proven ACC front-court piece to help absorb the Bassong departure. Here is an updated way-too-early projection of how the 2026-27 Seminoles could look come November.
PROJECTED STARTING FIVE
PG — Anthony Robinson II (Transfer, Missouri)
The homecoming headliner remains the unquestioned choice at point guard. The Tallahassee native gives Loucks a battle-tested, high-character floor general who carries three years of high-major experience and roots in the program’s community, unlike any other player on the roster.
SG — Kameron Taylor (Transfer, UNC Asheville)
FSU’s most prolific scorer from Day 1 slots comfortably at the two. The 6-foot-7 wing’s ability to create, attack the rim, and draw fouls gives FSU’s offense an offensive centerpiece it lacked for most of last season.
SF — Shon Abaev (Transfer, Cincinnati)
With Bassong’s departure, Abaev steps into the starting small forward role with an opportunity to finally play the consistent, uninterrupted minutes his ceiling demands. At 6-foot-7 with the athletic tools of a former top-25 recruit, Abaev’s debut as a full-time starter in a high-major program is one of the most compelling storylines on this entire roster.
PF — Sebastian Rancik (Transfer, Colorado)
The portal cycle’s defining addition anchors the four spot and gives Loucks his most complete front court piece. His combination of floor-spacing, high-post playmaking, and two-way defensive versatility gives FSU a frontcourt anchor capable of thriving in the modern ACC.
C — Marcis Ponder (Freshman, Gillion Basketball Academy)
The top-100 national recruit and physical centerpiece of FSU’s nationally ranked freshman class starts at the five from Day 1 with a clear path to significant minutes. The 6-foot-11, 260-pound interior force gives Loucks a rim-protecting, rebounding anchor whose size and instincts project as immediately ACC-ready.
KEY BENCH PLAYERS
Cooper Schwieger (Transfer, Wake Forest | PF/C)
The portal window’s final addition becomes the most important bench piece on the entire roster. His one year of eligibility remaining gives Loucks a proven, high-production front court piece whose experience and shooting touch, 36.3% from three in his freshman season at Valpo, provide the floor spacing the paint rotation needs behind Rancik and Ponder.
Martay Barnes (Freshman, G — Academy of Central Florida)
The reclassified early enrollee and one of the program’s most electric perimeter prospects provides backcourt depth, defense, and playmaking off the bench.
Collin Paul (Freshman, SF — Calvary Christian Academy)
With Bassong’s departure creating a real need at the wing, the four-star small forward from Fort Lauderdale, ranked the No. 108 overall prospect in the 2026 class, sees his path to meaningful minutes accelerate considerably. Paul’s ability to guard multiple positions and space the floor could make him one of the more important freshmen on this roster by mid-season.
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This article originally appeared on FSU Wire: Projecting FSU basketball’s starting lineup for the 2026-27 season
Reporting by Brandon Foster, FSU Wire / FSU Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
