Michigan State Eyes Top Transfer Portal Target to Boost Frontcourt

Aiden Sherrell, a 6'11" big man from Alabama, could be the missing piece for the Spartans' Sweet 16 return.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 9:50pm

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting the angular form of a towering basketball player surrounded by smaller, overlapping shapes representing the action on the court, conveying the power and physicality of a dominant center.A cubist interpretation of a dominant big man anchoring a college basketball team's frontcourt.Branson Today

Michigan State basketball is looking to the transfer portal to bolster its frontcourt after a Sweet 16 loss to UConn. One key target is Aiden Sherrell, a 6'11" center who played his freshman season at Alabama. Sherrell showed flashes of his potential, averaging 11.1 points and 2.2 blocks per game, and could be a perfect fit in Tom Izzo's physical, post-oriented system in East Lansing.

Why it matters

Michigan State is looking to reload its roster after losing key pieces like Jeremy Fears to the NBA Draft. Bringing in a talented big man like Sherrell could take the pressure off rising star Coen Carr and give the Spartans a formidable frontcourt duo to compete in the rugged Big Ten.

The details

Sherrell, a Detroit native, had a solid freshman campaign at Alabama, improving his scoring average from 3.4 points per game to 11.1. He also emerged as a defensive presence, blocking 2.2 shots per contest. His skill set - scoring in the paint, protecting the rim - could be a perfect fit for Tom Izzo's system, which emphasizes a physical, inside-out approach. Sherrell would provide an immediate boost to Michigan State's frontcourt and take some of the burden off Coen Carr, who had a breakout season but could use more support.

  • Sherrell entered the transfer portal in March 2026 after his freshman season at Alabama.
  • Michigan State is expected to make a strong push to bring Sherrell to East Lansing in the coming weeks.

The players

Aiden Sherrell

A 6'11" center who played his freshman season at Alabama, averaging 11.1 points and 2.2 blocks per game. Sherrell is a Detroit native who could be a perfect fit in Tom Izzo's physical, post-oriented system at Michigan State.

Coen Carr

A rising star for the Spartans, Carr averaged a career-high 12 points per game last season. Bringing in a talented big man like Sherrell could take some of the pressure off Carr and give Michigan State a formidable frontcourt duo.

Tom Izzo

The legendary head coach of Michigan State, known for his ability to develop talent and lead the Spartans to consistent success, including 15 Sweet 16 appearances.

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What they’re saying

“Sherrell is the kind of big man that could really thrive in Tom Izzo's system. He's got the size, skill, and defensive presence to make an immediate impact in the Big Ten.”

— Analyst

What’s next

Michigan State is expected to make a strong push to bring Sherrell to East Lansing in the coming weeks, as the Spartans look to reload their roster and make another deep NCAA Tournament run.

The takeaway

Aiden Sherrell's potential addition to the Michigan State roster could be a game-changer for the Spartans, providing them with a dominant big man to anchor their frontcourt and complement the rising star Coen Carr. If Izzo can land Sherrell, it would be a major coup and boost Michigan State's chances of returning to the Sweet 16 and beyond.