Michigan State Misses Out on Top Transfer Portal Target Aiden Sherrell

Spartans lose Sherrell and another top target to conference rival Indiana

Apr. 15, 2026 at 8:24pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting the fragmented movements of a basketball player driving to the hoop, with sharp planes of color and form capturing the dynamic energy of the sport.Michigan State's inability to land top transfer targets highlights the need for more aggressive recruiting in the evolving portal landscape.Today in Detroit

Michigan State has officially missed out on landing top transfer portal target Aiden Sherrell, who chose to join Indiana over the Spartans. This comes just days after another MSU transfer target, Samet Yigitoglu, also committed to the Hoosiers. The Spartans are now turning their attention to Charlotte transfer Anton Bonke, but he is seen as a less proven option compared to Sherrell.

Why it matters

Losing out on Sherrell, a highly-touted center from Detroit, is a significant disappointment for Michigan State. The Spartans were viewed as a frontrunner to land the transfer, and his decision to join a conference rival like Indiana raises questions about MSU's ability to land top talent in the transfer portal. This miss could impact the Spartans' chances of contending for a Big Ten title and making a deep NCAA Tournament run next season.

The details

Sherrell, a former Alabama forward, was one of the top centers available in the transfer portal this offseason. He took an official visit to Michigan State during his high school recruitment and was seen as an ideal fit for the Spartans' program. However, Sherrell ultimately chose to join Indiana, which has now landed two key MSU transfer targets in the last two days. The Spartans are now pivoting to Charlotte transfer Anton Bonke, but he is viewed as a more raw and unproven prospect compared to Sherrell.

  • On Wednesday, April 15, 2026, Aiden Sherrell officially committed to Indiana over Michigan State.
  • On Tuesday, April 14, 2026, SMU transfer Samet Yigitoglu also committed to Indiana, likely to be the team's starting center.

The players

Aiden Sherrell

A highly-touted transfer center who was one of the top targets in the portal this offseason. Sherrell is from Detroit and previously took an official visit to Michigan State during his high school recruitment.

Anton Bonke

A transfer center from Charlotte who Michigan State is now targeting after missing out on Sherrell. Bonke is ranked 105th overall and 12th among centers in the transfer portal.

Samet Yigitoglu

An SMU transfer who also committed to Indiana, likely to be the team's starting center, just days after Sherrell chose the Hoosiers over Michigan State.

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What’s next

Michigan State will now focus its efforts on landing Charlotte transfer Anton Bonke, who is scheduled to visit East Lansing on Friday. The Spartans will need to make a strong push to land Bonke after missing out on their top targets Sherrell and Yigitoglu.

The takeaway

Michigan State's inability to land top transfer portal targets like Aiden Sherrell and Samet Yigitoglu, who both chose conference rival Indiana, raises questions about the Spartans' ability to be aggressive and land elite talent in the transfer market. To compete for national championships, MSU may need to re-evaluate its approach and be willing to make bigger splashes in the portal.