Why Casey Alexander wanted to bring Andrej Kostic back to Kansas State
· Yahoo Sports
MANHATTAN — When Andrej Kostic got his opportunities during his freshman season, there were flashes of the potential that made some consider him a possible NBA Draft pick.
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A quick release and sniper from deep, paired with his size at 6-foot-6, reminded many why the Wildcats were so high on him. Unfortunately, his usage never allowed him to live up to the hype he arrived in Manhattan with. His role was another blunder on a long list amid the program's frustrating season.
When Jerome Tang was fired, it was assumed that Kostic would depart The Little Apple, only to have his chance to develop elsewhere. With the right coach, he could become the player many believe he can be.
Enter Casey Alexander, Kansas State's new coach, whose offensive system could be perfect for someone with Kostic's skillset. With a system ranked among the nation's best in 3-point shooting over the last 4 years at Belmont, staying in Manhattan could unlock the Serbian native's capabilities.
That's what Kostic decided to do.
"He was open and receptive to a conversation," Alexander said. "Our staff worked really hard to get video prepared to show him how we play big picture and how he could be good for us and get a fresh start and would allow you to be the player that I think everybody in Manhattan wants you to be."
Kostic will be the lone returner to Kansas State's basketball roster in 2026-27. He will play alongside 12 new teammates when they start practice on June 1.
Alexander said that everyone on Tang's 2025-26 roster was given the opportunity to speak with the new coaching staff, but most had already made their decisions before he was introduced. Everyone eligible, except Kostic, entered the transfer portal, and most have since found new homes.
Kostic was one of the few players who made sense for Alexander to try to retain. He fits in with the rest of the roster that the new staff recruited: players who didn't exactly fill up the stat sheets at their previous stops, but possess high upside. He averaged 5.2 points and 13.7 minutes in his 23 appearances last year, while shooting 37.5% from beyond the arc.
"It's still going to be a process, but he was very open and receptive to the conversation," Alexander said. "He trusted that we would have his best interest in mind."
In an interview with Kansas State Athletics' in-house website, Kostic said he didn't know what to do when the portal opened. Once he got on the phone with Alexander and visited with him after spring break, he was receptive to the idea of returning to Manhattan.
"I spoke with my family and my agents and I was like, 'Why not?' I could find any college, that's not a problem, and it wasn't money or anything like that for me, but I have a good relationship with fans at K-State, and I know the city, and I know how things are going right here." Kostic told the website.
Alexander brought up Manhattan for its role in keeping Kostic in a Wildcats uniform.
"I give the people of Manhattan a lot of credit for his decision to stay," Alexander said. "He feels like he's loved here and very much appreciated."
Wyatt D. Wheeler covers Kansas State athletics for the USA TODAY Network and Topeka Capital-Journal. You can follow him on X at @WyattWheeler_, contact him at 417-371-6987 or email him at [email protected]
This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Andrej Kostic returns to Kansas State to play for Casey Alexander