Did K-State, Jerome Tang Win The First 'Trade' In College Basketball History?

Kansas State and Memphis have essentially swapped point guards through the transfer portal, with PJ Haggerty joining the Wildcats and Dug McDaniel now a Tiger. Some fans are deeming it as the first "trade" in college basketball history.

Whenever a trade happens in the NBA, the next question is always the same: who won the trade? On social media, users have been debating whether the Wildcats or Tigers got the better end of deal.

Memphis' acquisition of former K-state forward Nae'Qwan Tomlin and the Wildcats addition of former Memphis forward Tyreek Smith have also been included in the trade discussion.

K-State receives: Tyreek Smith and PJ Haggerty

Memphis receives: Dug McDaniel and NaeQwan Tomlin pic.twitter.com/GvmriLbSh3
— 785 Sports (@785SportsKSU) May 26, 2025

Some K-State fans believe the trade was even.

Haggerty averaged 21.7 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 3.7 assist while shooting 47.6 percent from the field. McDaniel totaled 11.4 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 4.9 assists for K-State. So realistically the Tigers got more of a pass-first, table setting point guard, while the Wildcats added a do-it-yourself scoring point guard who can still run an offense.

Big addition for the Wildcats. It also makes Memphis and K-State even on basketball trades. Nae'Qwan Tomlin and Dug McDaniel for Tyreek Smith and PJ Haggerty. https://t.co/vp03TcfFs6
— Kellis Robinett (@KellisRobinett) May 26, 2025

Other social media users are simply baffled that the idea of trades is even being discussed in the world of college basketball and wonder if this could become the new norm.

I laughed so hard reading this headline of trading players. Got me thinking should we allow Universities to trade player that go into the transfer portal, thoughts?
— WildcatChief (@Wildcat_Chief_) May 28, 2025

When it comes to a potential matchup between Kansas State and Memphis, players have already started adding fuel to the fire. After the announcement of Haggerty's transfer to K-State, McDaniel made a post on his Instagram story with the caption, "Set that game up."

New Memphis PG (and Kansas State transfer) Dug McDaniel posts this to his IG story following news of PJ Haggerty’s commitment to K-State.

“set that game up …” pic.twitter.com/3tJezbWSgq
— Parth Upadhyaya (@pupadhyaya_) May 26, 2025

A K-State versus Memphis match up would mean more than a win or loss for both programs this upcoming season.

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