MSU Reportedly in Running for Big 12 Transfer Portal Center

The Spartans are in contact with another interesting center from Cincinnati.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 5:37pm

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A fragmented, geometric painting in bold, clashing colors that depicts the action and energy of a basketball game, with players and the court broken down into sharp, overlapping shapes and planes.A cubist interpretation of a high-stakes basketball matchup, capturing the intensity and dynamism of the transfer portal battle for a top center prospect.Lawrence Today

Michigan State is reportedly one of the schools in consideration for Cincinnati center Moustapha Thiam, who has two seasons of eligibility remaining. Thiam, a 7-foot-2, 250-pound center, was an All-Big 12 Honorable Mention this past season after averaging 12.8 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks per game.

Why it matters

Michigan State is in need of a new starting center after losing its previous one to the NBA draft. Thiam would provide the Spartans with a talented and experienced big man who can make an immediate impact on both ends of the floor.

The details

Thiam is ranked 14th overall among all transfer portal prospects by On3 and third among centers. He spent his freshman season at UCF, where he averaged 10.4 points, 6.4 rebounds, and a Big 12-high 2.6 blocks per game. Thiam then transferred to Cincinnati, where he had a productive sophomore campaign. He is known for his strong defensive presence, having a defensive rating of 94.7 that ranked seventh in the Big 12 this past season. Thiam is also an efficient scorer, shooting 57.3% on all twos and 72.6% from around the rim.

  • Thiam spent his freshman season at UCF in 2024-25.
  • Thiam transferred to Cincinnati for the 2025-26 season.
  • Thiam is now entering the transfer portal for the 2026-27 season.

The players

Moustapha Thiam

A 7-foot-2, 250-pound center who spent the last two seasons at Cincinnati, where he was an All-Big 12 Honorable Mention and averaged 12.8 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks per game.

Tom Izzo

The head coach of the Michigan State Spartans, who is reportedly interested in adding Thiam to his roster for the upcoming season.

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What they’re saying

“Thiam would be another guy who would absolutely fill the need at center for MSU this portal cycle. Again, there is only one open roster spot on the Spartans' roster right now, so the necessity to get an upper-tier guy sooner rather than later is huge.”

— Jeff Goodman, Analyst

What’s next

Michigan State will continue to recruit Thiam and try to secure his commitment before the start of the 2026-27 season.

The takeaway

Michigan State's search for a new starting center in the transfer portal has led them to Moustapha Thiam, a talented and experienced big man from Cincinnati who could provide an immediate impact for the Spartans on both ends of the floor.