Another Intriguing Center Option for MSU Enters Portal

Center is the most important need for Michigan State basketball this offseason.

Mar 3, 2026; Athens, Georgia, USA; Georgia Bulldogs center Somto Cyril (2) on the court against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Stegeman Coliseum. | Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

Getting a starting-caliber big man has to be the top priority of Michigan State's offseason.

The Spartans are losing both Jaxon Kohler and Carson Cooper due to the exhaustion of their eligibility, and seeing rising redshirt sophomore Jesse McCulloch or freshman Ethan Taylor immediately start at the five would definitely be a mistake. That means MSU will have to search the portal.

Michigan State's Tom Izzo shouts instructions out during a game against Michigan at the Breslin Center on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026. | Starr Portice, Michigan State Spartans on SI

Earlier this week, I went through the transfer portal and found five names that would make sense for Michigan State to pursue this offseason. Well, on Tuesday afternoon, another name was added to what will be a growing list of people worth considering.

That player is Georgia's Somto Cyril, who announced his plans to enter the portal via On3 that day. He has two more years of eligibility remaining and averaged 9.3 points, 5.4 rebounds, and an SEC-high 2.2 blocks per game, earning a spot on the All-Defensive Team.

What Makes Cyril a Fit

Feb 17, 2026; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Georgia Bulldogs center Somto Cyril (2) celebrates after scoring a basket and getting fouled during the second half against the Kentucky Wildcats at Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center. | Jordan Prather-Imagn Images

Cyril, listed at 6-foot-11 and 260 pounds, is elite around the rim on both ends. The block numbers already speak for themselves -- Cyril's block percentage of 10.7% ranked 12th in all of Division I basketball. Any defense could use a rim protector of that caliber.

On the other end, he's still very efficient. Cyril never attempted a three-pointer all of last season, shooting 75.9% from the field. That gave him the very best two-point percentage in the SEC, coming in at third in the NCAA.

Jan 10, 2026; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; Georgia Bulldogs center Somto Cyril (2) shoots a free throw after a flagrant foul against the South Carolina Gamecocks in the second half at Colonial Life Arena. | Jeff Blake-Imagn Images

Having a stretch five can be nice, but that's anything but a requirement for Tom Izzo's offense. Carson Cooper made two threes all season in 2025-26, with one three coming at the very end of a shot clock against Louisville, and another coming when the Spartans had a healthy lead against Maryland. MSU isn't going to go out of its way to find shooting at the position.

What Izzo would rather see is a big man who can effectively hedge ball screens and someone with nice lateral movement. Cyril is athletic enough to do that and also come over from the weak side of the paint and reject a layup by someone driving to the rim.

Landing Cyril Will Be Challenge

Getting him would be tough, though. Rivals ranks him as the eighth-best prospect in the transfer portal right now, as well as first among centers. That comes with a significant price tag. Izzo may be hesitant to give a transfer a large NIL package, potentially upsetting other returning players who may not be seeing as much money.

Whether Michigan State pursues is a question because of that. If the Spartans do, it would definitely be an exciting possibility.

Feb 21, 2026; Athens, Georgia, USA; Texas Longhorns guard Tramon Mark (12) protects the ball from Georgia Bulldogs center Somto Cyril (2) during the first half at Stegeman Coliseum. | Dale Zanine-Imagn Images