Mississippi State center Michael Nwoko enters NCAA Transfer Portal

Mississippi State center Michael Nwoko has entered the NCAA Transfer Portal. He only spent one season with the Bulldogs after transferring into the program from Miami last offseason.

In his lone campaign in Starkville, Nwoko made 34 appearances and 32 starts. He averaged 6.1 points, 4.6 rebounds and 0.8 blocks per game while shooting 52.5% from the field. He only shot seven 3-pointers this season, connecting on just one of them.

Nwoko had his best game of the season in Mississippi State’s 90-57 win over Pittsburgh, which was ranked No. 18 in the country at the time. In the win, Nwoko tallied 18 points, 11 rebounds and three blocks on 7-9 shooting from the floor.

Nwoko played in 29 games during his freshman season at Miami. He averaged just 2.7 points and 2.0 rebounds in 8.8 minutes per game. Now, Nwoko will look for a new home again via the transfer portal.

Nwoko played high school basketball at Prolific Prep (NC), where he was a four-star prospect. He was the No. 118 overall player and No. 16 center in the 2023 recruiting cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

Nwoko averaged 12.0 points, 6.0 rebounds and 1.0 blocks per game during his senior season at Prolific Prep. For his efforts, he was named an All-Grind Session First-Team designee and was a nominee for the McDonald’s All-American Game.

At 6-foot-10, 245 pounds, Nwoko boasts professional size. However, when asked about the style of his game before the 2024-25 campaign, he didn’t only point to his obvious physical gifts.

“Definitely would say it’s energy-based and playing above the rim,” Nwoko said. “I feel like I’m athletic and a good passer, as well, pick and roll and that is where I mainly score at.”

Michael Nwoko isn’t the first Bulldog to enter the transfer portal this offseason. On March 24, Mississippi State point guard Kanye Clary also entered the NCAA Transfer Portal.

Mississippi State posted a 21-13 overall record this season, along with an 8-10 mark in conference play. In turn, Mississippi State was awarded an 8-seed in the NCAA Tournament but wasn’t able to escape the first round, ultimately falling 75-72 to Baylor.

In the loss, Nwoko recorded two points and four rebounds in 15 minutes of action. With several players from this year’s team already entering the transfer portal, Mississippi State head coach Chris Jans will have no choice but to revamp his roster this offseason.