KENT — Under normal circumstances, Kent State would not be facing many major roster changes heading into the 2026-27 men’s basketball season.
Only two Golden Flashes ran out of eligibily this year. Still, the offseason transfer awaits a team that won 24 games, finished third in the Mid-American Conference and competed in the NIT.
We’ll track any portal news involving the Flashes here in the coming days and weeks.
Report: Minnesota guard Chansey Willis commits to Kent State
Dushawn London of 247 Sports reported on April 27 that former Minnesota guard Chansey Willis has committed to Kent State. London cited Willis’ agents Brandon Grier and Rob Murphy of Equity Sports.
Willis saw action in only seven games with the Gophers this season due to injury. He averaged 16.8 points, 5.8 assists and 4.3 rebounds for Western Michigan during the 2024-25 season.
Former Southern Conference Sixth Man of the Year set to join Kent State basketball
The Flashes announced on April 22 they have signed former East Tennessee State guard Jaylen Smith.
Smith averaged 10.6 points in 26 games with the Buccaneers this season He was voted the Southern Conference Sixth Man of the Year.
Prior to East Tennessee State, Smith played his first two seasons at North Florida.
Report: Portland’s Cam Williams commits to Kent State basketball
CBS Sports’ Jon Rothstein reported on April 20 that Portland’s Cam Williams is transferring to Kent State.
The 6-foot-8 Williams averaged 10.6 points and 4.6 rebounds for Portland this season. He scored 20 points in a win over the Flashes on Dec. 14.
Report: Kent State basketball’s Jahari Williamson transferring to Pepperdine
Jon Chepkevich of Draft Express reported on April 20 that Kent State guard Jahari Williamson will be transferring to Pepperdine.
Williamson started all 34 games for the Flashes and averaged 10.3 points. The 6-1 junior led the Flashes in 3-pointers with 81 and 3-point percentage at 44.5.
Cian Medley leaves Kent State baseketball for East Carolina through the NCAA transfer portal
Former Kent State point guard Cian Medley announced on April 19 he committed to East Carolina.
Medley set the Flashes’ single-season assist record 212 this year. He averaged 10.5 points and 6.4 assists in 33 games (32 starts) this season, his second at KSU after transferring from Saint Louis.
Landon Vanderwarker announces return to Kent State basketball team
Kent State forward Landon Vanderwarker announced on April 18 he will return to the Golden Flashes for the 2026-27 season.
Vanderwarker appeared in 10 games last season with KSU. He averaged 2.5 points, one rebound and 5.6 minutes.
Kent State lists Vanderwarker as 6 feet, 8 inches and 215 pounds.
Jaymen Townsend set to return to Kent State basketball team
Kent State announced on April 19 that forward Jaymen Townsend will return to the Flashes next season.
Townsend made one appearnace on Nov. 29 against Penn State-Shenango this season. He recorded four assists, one rebound and one steal.
The Kent State basketball program signs Latif Diouf, a transfer from University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
Kent State announced April 17 the Golden Flashes signed forward Latif Diouf, a native of the Netherlands.
Diouf spent the past two seasons with the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. He appeared in five games last season, averaging 4.8 points, 2.6 rebounds and 1.8 assists, until he suffered an injury and did not play again. During the 2024-2025 season, he appeared in 31 games, averaging 3.1 points, 2.6 rebounds and 1 assist. He helped UT Chattanooga win the 2025 NIT championship.
“I have watched Latif since he was in high school and followed him as he had a very promising start to his college career at UT Chattanooga,” Kent State coach Rob Senderoff said in a news release. “They won the NIT the year we went to the quarterfinals. Unfortunately, he got injured after a few games this year and needed to take a medical redshirt. When he entered the portal, he became an immediate priority for our staff because of his size and versatility. He is an awesome young man, and I am excited to add a player with his ability to our program.”
UT Chattanooga lists Diouf as 6 feet, 9 inches and 245 pounds.
Kent State forward Dezmon Briscoe to ‘run it back’ with Flashes
Kent State men’s basketball announced April 17 that forward Dezmon Briscoe will return to the Flashes for his sophomore season.
Announcing on X, Kent State said Briscore had said “Flashes, let’s run it back!!” with regard to his return the program. Biscoe appeared in 30 games for the KSU, totaling 73 points, 64 rebounds, 10 assists, 21 blocks and five steals in his freshman season.
Kent State guard Quinn Woidke to return for second season
Kent State announced on April 15 that guard Quinn Woidke will officially return for his second season.
On3 Media’s Field of 68 first reported that Woidke would be back with the Flashes. The 6-foot Woidke shot 40% from 3-point range and averaged 9 points a game as a freshman this season. He was named to the Mid-American Conference All-Freshman Team.
Eastern Michigan forward Godslove Nwabude transfers to Kent State
Kent State announced on April 13 that former Eastern Michigan forward Godslove Nwabude will join the Flashes next season.
Nwabude spent the previous two seasons with the Eagles. The Nigeria native averaged 5.4 points and 5.5 rebounds last season.
Kent State transfer Delrecco Gillespie commits to Houston
Former Kent State forward Delrecco Gillespie posted April 11 on his Instagram account he has committed to Houston.
The 6-8 Gillespie led the nation in double-doubles with 22 in 34 games this season. The first-team All-Mid-American Conference and All-MAC Defensive Team selection averaged 17.7 points, 11.3 rebounds and 1.2 blocks.
Former Kent State forward DeAndre Jones signs with Cleveland State
With the portal opening on April 7, former Kent State forward DeAndre Jones posted on his Instagram account that he has signed with Cleveland State.
Jones played in seven games off the bench for the Flashes this season. He scored a career-high and team-leading 19 points in a win over Penn State-Shenango on Nov. 29.
Kent State forward Delrecco Gillespie heading to the portal
This could end up being Kent State’s biggest offseason blow.
DraftExpress reported on April 6 that Delrecco Gillespie will enter the portal. The 6-8 forward led the nation in double-doubles with 22 in 34 games. The first team All-Mid-American Conference and All-MAC Defensive Team selection averaged 17.7 points, 11.3 rebounds and 1.2 blocks last season.
Gillespie posted on Instagram later in the day that he will enter the portal.
Report: Kent State guard Jahari Williamson is heading to the portal
Kent State guard Jahari Williamson will enter the portal, Dushawn London of 247 Sports reported on April 6.
Williamson started all 34 games for the Flashes and averaged 10.3 points a game. The 6-1 junior led the Flashes in 3-pointers with 81 and 3-point percentage at 44.5%.
Kent State guard Aaron Foster says he will enter portal
Kent State freshman guard Aaron Foster has announced he will enter the portal.
Foster did not play with the Flashes this season because of an injury. He was a four-year starter at Dublin Scioto High School.
Kent State guard Cian Medley intends to enter portal
On3 Media’s Field of 64 reports that Kent State junior guard Cian Medley will enter the portal.
Medley set the Flashes’ single-season assist record with 212 this year. He averaged 10.5 points and 6.4 assists in 33 games (32 starts) this season.
Kent State forward Rayvon Griffith set to enter portal
Kent State sophomore forward Rayvon Griffith plans to enter the portal, according to a post on his Instagram account.
Griffith averaged 4.0 points in 33 games off the bench in his only season with the Flashes. He spent one season at Cincinnati prior to transferring to Kent State.
Kent State forward DeAndre Jones plans to enter portal
Kent State freshman forward DeAndre Jones posted on his Instagram account that he will enter the portal.
Jones played in seven games off the bench for the Flashes. He scored a career-high and team-leading 19 points in a win over Penn State-Shenango on Nov. 29.
Guard Quinn Woidke reportedly returning to Kent State
Quinn Woidke has told On3 Media’s Field of 68 he will be returning to Kent State for another season.
A 6-foot guard, Woidke shot 40% from 3-point range and averaged 9 points a game as a freshman this season. He was named to the Mid-American Conference All-Freshman Team.
Kent State forward Magnus Entenmann plans to enter portal
Kent State’s Magnus Entenmann posted on social media on March 24 that he will be entering the transfer portal.
A 6-foot-9 backup forward from Germany, Entenmann averaged just under 2 points a game in three seasons with the Flashes. He scored a career-high 12 points against Ohio this season.
Entenmann will have one year of eligibility remaining.
When does the NCAA’s college basketball transfer portal officially open?
The portal opens on April 7, the day after the NCAA Tournament championship game, and will remain open for 15 days. Players must enter the portal within those 15 days if they intend to transfer. They do not need to pick a new school within those 15 days.
Who are the Kent State Golden Flashes basketball players with eligibility left after the 2025-26 season?
Redshirt sophomore forward Rayvon Griffith
Junior guard Cian Medley
Redshirt junior guard Jamal Sumlin
Redshirt junior guard Brenden Moss
Freshman guard Quinn Woidke
Freshman forward Landon Vanderwarker
Freshman forward-center Dezmon Briscoe
Redshirt freshman forward DeAndre Jones
Freshman forward Jaymen Townsend
Senior forward Delrecco Gillespie*
Junior guard Jahari Williamson
Freshman guard Dylan Lakatos
Redshirt freshman Drew Huffman
Freshman guard Omer Hamama
*Head coach Rob Senderoff said Delrecco Gillespie was awarded an extra year of eligibility because of a previous injury.
Who are the Kent State Golden Flashes basketball players from 2025-26 with no eligibility remaining?
Forward-center Rob Whaley Jr.
Guard Morgan Safford
Reach Mike at mike.popovich@cantonrep.com
On X: @mpopovichREP | On Instagram: mike_popovich | On Snapchat: popovich_mike | On TikTok: mikepopovich
This article originally appeared on The Repository: Kent State basketball NCAA transfer portal news, updates
Reporting by Mike Popovich, Canton Repository / The Repository
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
