Kansas State Still Shorthanded as Injuries Sideline Four Key Players Ahead of West Virginia Matchup
Kansas State heads into Tuesday night’s Big 12 road test at West Virginia with a thinner rotation than they’d like - and unfortunately, that’s nothing new. Four Wildcats remain sidelined, and while one injury has a clear timeline, the rest remain clouded in uncertainty.
Let’s break down what we know - and what it means - for Jerome Tang’s squad as they try to navigate the heart of conference play without some important pieces.
Abdi Bashir Jr. Out Following Foot Surgery
Of the four missing players, freshman Abdi Bashir Jr. is the only one with a confirmed diagnosis and recovery window. On Jan. 20, head coach Jerome Tang revealed that Bashir underwent surgery to repair a stress fracture in his foot. The expected recovery time is 4-6 weeks.
It’s a tough blow for a young player who had been showing promise in limited minutes. While Bashir wasn’t a major part of the rotation yet, his absence trims the depth chart even further - and that matters in a league as physical and fast-paced as the Big 12.
Khamari McGriff: Day-to-Day, But Still Sidelined
The case of Khamari McGriff is a little murkier. The sophomore forward has been one of K-State’s most reliable interior presences this season - when he’s not battling foul trouble.
He’s averaging 10.1 points and 4.2 rebounds per game and was coming off a hyper-efficient 14-point performance (on a perfect 7-for-7 shooting) in just 14 minutes before fouling out against Oklahoma State on Jan. 17.
That was the last time McGriff saw the court.
Initially, there was no indication of an injury. He wasn’t listed on the pregame availability report ahead of the Jan. 20 win over Utah, but just before tip-off, he was downgraded to a game-time decision - and ultimately didn’t play. After the game, Tang described it as a “freak thing” that happened during shootaround but didn’t offer specifics.
“I don’t even know what it is, but it took Khamari out of the game,” Tang said. “He’s day-to-day.”
McGriff was again ruled out ahead of the Jan. 24 rivalry matchup against Kansas. When asked if McGriff was close to suiting up against the Jayhawks, Tang was candid about the uncertainty.
“I don’t know; I really don’t,” he said. “I really would love to give y’all answers on this thing, but I’m being real honest when I tell you that I don’t know. I wait for them to tell me.”
The lack of clarity is frustrating, but it’s clear McGriff’s presence is missed. His energy, rebounding, and inside scoring have been crucial in K-State’s most competitive stretches this season.
Mobi Ikegwuruka and Elias Rapieque Remain Out, Status Unclear
Then there are the absences of Mobi Ikegwuruka and Elias Rapieque - both of which remain largely unexplained.
Tang has repeatedly declined to provide details on their situations, citing HIPAA regulations that limit what can be disclosed about a player’s health without their consent.
Ikegwuruka last played on Jan. 7 at Arizona, logging six minutes. That came just days after a 14-minute outing against BYU on Jan.
- Before that, he missed the final four games of December.
Since then, he hasn’t been in uniform - and often hasn’t been present at games at all.
Rapieque, meanwhile, was a key contributor earlier in the season, starting 11 of the 14 games he appeared in. But he hasn’t played since the Jan. 10 loss at Arizona State.
He also missed the BYU game before that. Like Ikegwuruka, his absence has been prolonged and unexplained.
Following the Jan. 20 win over Utah, Tang was asked about their status and offered only a vague response.
“Like I said, I can’t really talk about their situation,” he said. “But when they’re at practice, they’re good. Being at the games sometimes might... could set ’em back in whatever it is they’re dealing with.”
What It All Means for K-State
The Wildcats have shown flashes of potential this season, but depth is becoming a serious concern. With Bashir out for several more weeks and no clear timetable for McGriff, Ikegwuruka, or Rapieque, Kansas State is operating with a shortened bench during the most demanding stretch of the season.
Tang and his staff are no strangers to adjusting on the fly, but the margin for error in the Big 12 is razor-thin. Every rotation tweak, every substitution, every minute matters - and without four contributors, the Wildcats will have to dig deep to keep pace in the standings.
Tuesday night’s game in Morgantown won’t be easy. West Virginia might be struggling this year, but they’re always tough at home. And for a K-State team missing size, experience, and versatility, the challenge only grows.
For now, all eyes will be on the health updates - or lack thereof - as the Wildcats try to stay afloat and buy time for reinforcements to return.