Mississippi State Lands Transfer Forward Kendyl Sanders

0:00On April 22nd, Mississippi State just landed a solid transfer in forward Kendall Sanders from Utah, filling a big gap in their 2026-20. 27 roster. The 6-foot-8, 230-pound Los Angeles native, enters as a true sophomore with three years of eligibility left. Coach Chris Jant used one of his remaining scholarships on this three-star prospect, who jumped into the transfer portal right after it opened on. April 9th. Sanders saw action in 32 gains for the youths this season, averaging 5.2 points in 20 minutes off the bench. He shot 44% from the field and connected on 31 of 72-3s, while grabbing boards and blocking 12 shots without. Falling out once, before Utah, he balled at IMJ Academy in Florida, putting a 14.2 points and 8.1 rebounds. Bulldog fans got a preview when state beat Utah 72-82 back on December 13th in Salt Lake City. Sanders logged 24 minutes with four points and seven boards in that loss.

1:04His team's 10-22 record met no postseason, so this move swings him back southeast after his prep days in California. Recruitment out of high school was light, with Utah as the only power conference offer, but his dad Yaman played at Central Michigan and USC even, hitting the NCAA tournament second round with the Trojans. Sanders slots in as a power forward, where state's front court is thin after graduations and departures. He's the second portal addition alongside RJ, Johnson, from Kennesaw State. State returns just two varsity players in Hubbard and King Grace, plus Red Shirt's T Bartlett and Cameron Paul, with three freshmen already signed. That leaves at least four more scholarships open for portal pickups this spring, so Jans ain't done building yet.