Akron star guard Nate Johnson, the 2025 MAC Player of the Year, announced Sunday on social media that he is transferring to Kansas State.
The 6-foot-3 combo guard from Liberty Township, Ohio, dominated MAC postseason honors, winning Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, and Tournament MVP.
Johnson, who averaged 14.0 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 3.4 assists in 30 minutes per game last season, also posted a career-best 31 points on 10-of-16 shooting against Toledo on March 14. He added 13 points in a first-round NCAA Tournament matchup against No. 4 seed Arizona.
Though Johnson had previously told the Akron Beacon Journal he planned to return to Akron, he entered the transfer portal last week and has now committed to the Wildcats.
While it’s uncertain if he’ll play point guard, Johnson is the most decorated player currently on K-State’s roster and is widely expected to start right away. His arrival is seen as a major boost for a program eager to return to relevance.
Akron went 28–7 last season, winning both the MAC regular season and tournament titles—a school record for victories.
Kansas State, under head coach Jerome Tang, is looking to rebound after a 16–17 season that saw the Wildcats finish 9–11 in Big 12 play and miss the NCAA Tournament for a second straight year. The team returns only four players: guards David Castillo and CJ Jones, and forwards Mobi Ikegwuruka and Taj Manning.
The Wildcats have also added Abdi Bashir, a 6-foot-7 sophomore guard from Omaha, and Khamari McGriff, a transfer forward from UNC Wilmington. Johnson’s commitment adds much-needed excitement and momentum as the roster rebuilds.
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