Kansas State's Casey Alexander Faces Transfer Portal Setback

Belmont star Sam Orme chooses Nebraska over joining coach at K-State

Apr. 10, 2026 at 9:24am

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A fragmented, cubist-style painting depicting a college basketball player in motion, with sharp geometric shapes and planes of purple and gold colors representing Kansas State.The transfer portal continues to reshape college basketball rosters, as Kansas State's new coach faces a setback in his efforts to rebuild the program.Manhattan Today

Kansas State men's basketball coach Casey Alexander suffered a blow when one of his top players at his former school, Belmont, decided not to follow him to Manhattan. Sophomore forward Sam Orme, a 6-foot-8 sharpshooter, announced on April 9 that he will transfer to Nebraska instead of reuniting with Alexander at K-State.

Why it matters

The transfer portal has become a crucial part of college basketball, with top players frequently switching schools. Alexander was hoping to bring some of his proven talent from Belmont to help rebuild the Wildcats' program, but Orme's decision is a setback in that effort.

The details

Orme was a key player for Alexander at Belmont, averaging 12.5 points and 5.2 rebounds per game as a sophomore. His decision to sign with Nebraska on the third day of the transfer portal window is a disappointment for Alexander, who was counting on Orme to be part of the foundation as he takes over the struggling K-State program.

  • Orme announced his transfer decision on April 9, 2026.
  • The transfer portal window opened on April 7, 2026.

The players

Casey Alexander

The new head coach of the Kansas State men's basketball team, who previously coached at Belmont.

Sam Orme

A 6-foot-8 sophomore forward who played for Alexander at Belmont and was expected to follow him to K-State, but instead chose to transfer to Nebraska.

Nebraska

The school that Sam Orme has decided to transfer to, instead of joining Casey Alexander at Kansas State.

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What they’re saying

“We were really hoping Sam would come with me to K-State, but I understand his decision to go a different direction. The transfer portal is a tough part of the game these days.”

— Casey Alexander, Head Coach, Kansas State Men's Basketball

What’s next

Alexander and the Kansas State coaching staff will now need to pivot and find other transfer targets to help rebuild the Wildcats' roster for the upcoming season.

The takeaway

The loss of Sam Orme is a setback for Casey Alexander as he tries to quickly turn around the Kansas State men's basketball program through the transfer portal. Retaining top talent from his previous school was a key part of his plan, and this decision by Orme is a blow to those efforts.