MSU in Mix for Starting Portal Center From Tournament Team

The Spartans are reportedly going after the starting center from an NCAA Tournament team.

Mar 27, 2026; Washington, DC, USA; Michigan State Spartans head coach Tom Izzo reacts in the first half during a Sweet Sixteen game of the East Regional of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-Imagn Images | Amber Searls-Imagn Images

The list of targets for Michigan State basketball in the transfer portal is getting a bit clearer.

Another new name is SMU transfer center Samet Yigitoglu.

Mar 10, 2026; Charlotte, NC, USA; Southern Methodist University Mustangs center Jaden Toombs (10) with center Samet Yigitoglu (24) in the second half at Spectrum Center. | Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Yigitoglu is ranked 35th overall among those in the transfer portal and seventh among centers in On3's rankings. He's 34th overall and also seventh among centers at 247Sports.

He's started all 66 of his collegiate games that he's appeared in for SMU. This season, he averaged 10.7 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game, helping the Mustangs reach the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2017.

MSU's Center Situation

Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo talks to guard Jeremy Fears Jr. (1) at a timeout against Louisville during the second half of NCAA Tournament Second Round at KeyBank Center in Buffalo on Saturday, March 21, 2026. | Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Yigitoglu isn't the first transfer portal center that Michigan State has been linked to. The biggest name thus far has been Alabama transfer Aiden Sherrell, a former five-star from Detroit who MSU recruited coming out of high school. There was also a report on Friday that MSU had reached out to New Mexico transfer Tomislav Buljan.

The center position is where all of the focus has been this transfer portal season. The Spartans are one of the few programs out there that haven't lost a player to the transfer portal -- and while superstar point guard Jeremy Fears Jr. did enter the NBA Draft on Friday, chances are that he'll withdraw and come back to Michigan State.

Mar 19, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide forward Aiden Sherrell (22) shoots the ball during a practice session ahead of the first round of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena. | Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images

Assuming Fears returns and the roster status quo is maintained, there will be only one open slot for a transfer portal addition due to the 15-player roster limit. With Jesse McCulloch, someone who was out of the playing group this March, and Ethan Taylor, a freshman on the more raw side, as the only centers available, a proven, starting-caliber guy is needed for MSU to truly contend at the top of the Big 10 next season.

Yigitoglu would be one of those guys. From Istanbul, Turkey, he'll have two more years of eligibility left, as he turned 22 years old this March.

Mar 11, 2026; Charlotte, NC, USA; Louisville Cardinals guard Isaac McKneely (10) passes the ball as Southern Methodist University Mustangs center Samet Yigitoglu (24) defends in the second half at Spectrum Center. | Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Yigitoglu Is Intriguing

There are some concerns with Yigitoglu, though. He's not a remote threat to shoot, which can cause some spacing problems. Plus, he's a 53.1% career free-throw shooter. No prospect will be perfect, though, there's still plenty to like.

The height at 7-foot-2 is still pretty intriguing, and Yigitoglu is used to playing heavy minutes at the high-major level, averaging 28.9 minutes per game this season. He also shot 62.8% from the field in 2025-26, indicating some good touch around the rim.

Feb 28, 2026; Stanford, California, USA; Southern Methodist University Mustangs center Samet Yigitoglu (24) handles the ball against Stanford Cardinal forward AJ Rohosy (right) during the first half at Maples Pavilion. | Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images