He was one of the nation’s leading scorers during the 2025-26 season. His Kansas State career came to an end with a 27-point effort against BYU in the Big 12 Tournament, which aptly summed up his time in Manhattan.
Haggerty was one of numerous Wildcats that used the transfer site, including David Castillo, Taj Manning, and Abdi Bashir Jr. Kansas State is now confronted with the challenge of replacing that level of productivity, and the bigger question is whether it can.
Where Kansas State could struggle replacing P.J. Haggerty, other leading scorers
The fourth-year junior finished his first and only season with the Wildcats averaging 23.4 points per game, good enough for third in the nation heading into the NCAA Tournament. Following Arkansas’ postseason games, he was passed by Darius Acuff Jr., who finished with 23.5.
Haggerty started 31 games at Kansas State, scoring in double figures in each of them. Only eight appearances resulted in fewer than 20 points. As for the rest of the team, it’s fair to say he didn’t have much support.
He was not only one of the nation’s top prospects; he was also Kansas State’s key offensive option. Haggerty led the Wildcats in scoring for 18 straight games, from December 18 against South Dakota to March 3 against West Virginia, a streak longer than any other player in the Big 12 Conference last season.
He was also one of two Wildcats, along with Nate Johnson, to score 30 or more points in the team’s second home victory over Baylor. It was the first time since 2008 that two Kansas State players achieved the milestone in the same game.
And when you lose a starter with that much effect, it not only alerts the world to the fact that he is in the portal, but it also draws attention to how the program plans to replace him. For first-year head coach Casey Alexander, the answer is most likely the transfer portal.
Who Kansas State could target to replace Haggerty at point guard
When it comes to finding a replacement point guard, Alexander and the Wildcats have lots of possibilities. For starters, investigate who the former Belmont coach flipped in recruiting. Jaylen Alexander and Devin Hutcherson start the talk.
Hutcherson and Alexander are seniors in the Class of 2026 who have committed to play for Kansas State beginning next season. Both initially intended to play for Belmont in the Missouri Valley Conference.
According to 247Sports, Alexander is classified as a point guard. Hutcherson, on the other hand, played as a small forward. Given his size, a transfer into the role is not impossible, but it would require some work. That leaves the second option, which is to pursue a point guard through the portal.
There are still plenty of choices available if the Wildcats go that path, including former BYU starter Rob Wright III, Villanova transfer Acaden Lewis, and even former Colorado guard Isaiah Johnson; and the best part is, that’s just a handful.
Johnson has already had interest from in-state rival Kansas, as well as other Big 12 schools, which is not surprising given that he is one of the conference’s top prospects in the portal. If Kansas State wants to whisk him away, it will most certainly cost more than they are prepared to spend.
Haggerty will play for his fifth school in five years, entering his final season of eligibility. At the time of publication, there was no clear favorite for where he may land.
