The Kansas State Wildcats men’s basketball team got a much-needed boost on Monday with the addition of UNC Wilmington transfer forward Khamari McGriff.
McGriff, a 6-foot-9 junior from Tallahassee, Florida, brings valuable experience after spending four seasons with a UNCW program that has consistently won. The Seahawks have hit the 20-win mark in each of the past four seasons and made the 2024 NCAA Tournament.
Last season was McGriff’s best yet, as he averaged 11.5 points and 4.0 rebounds per game, starting 12 games and appearing in all 34 contests. Known for his presence in the paint, McGriff will help fill the frontcourt gaps left by recent transfers Ugonna Onyenso, Baye Fall, and Macaleab Rich, as well as graduating starters David N’Guessan and Coleman Hawkins.
McGriff is no stranger to Power Five competition—he scored 18 points and grabbed seven rebounds against No. 1 Kansas during the regular season, and added eight points and three boards in limited minutes against Texas Tech in the NCAA Tournament.
With only four players returning from last season—David Castillo, CJ Jones, Mobi Ikegwuruka, and Taj Manning—McGriff’s experience and size will be key for a rebuilding K-State roster.
His commitment follows the recent addition of Abdi Bashir, a 6-foot-7 guard from Omaha, as the Wildcats continue reshaping the team after a 16–17 season, finishing 9–11 in Big 12 play and missing the NCAA Tournament for the second straight year.
