Kansas State basketball forward Ismael Massoud to enter transfer portal for final season

Not even a memorable NCAA Tournament run left Kansas State immune to the latest trend in college basketball.

Less than a week removed from the Wildcats' Elite Eight loss to Florida Atlantic, forward Ismael Massoud announced Wednesday that he is entering the transfer portal for his final year of eligibility.

Massoud, a 6-foot-9 junior who spent two years at Wake Forest before transferring to K-State last season, was the last remaining tie to former coach Bruce Weber. He got off to a rocky start this year under new head coach Jerome Tang, but began to emerge as a key reserve during Big 12 play and by season's end was a major contributor to the Wildcats' postseason success.

Massoud averaged 5.4 points in just 15.3 minutes per game, but at 41.8% was arguably the team's most reliable 3-point shooting threat.

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In fact, it was Massoud's 3-pointer that gave K-State the lead for good in the closing minutes of a second-round NCAA victory over Kentucky. He topped that off in front of a hometown crowd at New York's Madison Square Garden by scoring 15 points and knocking down a critical overtime shot in the Wildcats' 98-93 overtime triumph over Michigan State in the Sweet 16.

"This year was a dream come true in so many ways and allowed me to grow so much as a player and as a person," Massoud wrote in a social media post. "I want to thank coach Weber and his staff first and foremost for giving me and opportunity of a lifetime to play at K-State. I want to especially thank coach Shane Southwell for making that first call.

"Thank you to coach Tang and his whole staff for having me be a part of a special year on and off the court. This year challenged and rewarded me in many ways that I'll be forever grateful for. To all my teammates, I've made brothers for life and bonds I'll cherish forever."

Tang expressed his support for Massoud's decision in a social media post of his own.

"I am so thankful to Ismael Massoud for the opportunity to coach him and live life with him," Tang said. "It has been a blessing and an honor."

In addition to acknowledging his teammates and coaches, Massoud paid tribute to the K-State faithful as well.

"Lastly, to the fans and people of Manhattan, my time here has helped me find a new home," he wrote. "Y'all welcomed me with open arms and showed me so much love over my two years here. I'll be a Wildcat for life."

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While Massoud again figured to be an integral piece of the K-State puzzle next year in Tang's second season, there was no guarantee that his role would increase significantly. His 15 minutes per game was the fewest since his first year at Wake Forest, and a drop from last season, when he made 18 starts and averaged 6.8 points and 24.3 minutes.

Even during the stretch run, Massoud typically was not the first big man off the Wildcats' bench, in part because he struggled at times defensively. David N'Guessan, who averaged 6.4 points and 3.5 rebounds and started 18 games, was a more consistent defender.

Massoud's departure, along with fellow New Yorkers Markquis Nowell and Tykei Green, plus forward Keyontae Johnson, guard Desi Sills and center Abayomi Iyiola leaves Tang with at least three open scholarships now. He signed three high school standouts — four-star guards Dai Ames and R.J. Jones and three-star small forward Macaleab Rich — in November and redshirted center Jerrell Colbert, forward Taj Manning and guard Anthony Thomas.

As a graduate transfer, Massoud is eligible to play immediately despite his previous transfer from Wake Forest.

Arne Green is based in Salina and covers Kansas State University sports for the Gannett network. He can be reached at agreen@gannett.com or on Twitter at @arnegreen.

This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Kansas State men's basketball forward Ismael Massoud to transfer