South Dakota State basketball made headlines as two starters entered the transfer portal just before it closed on April 21. The Jackrabbits were a significant player in this transfer cycle.
Key points
South Dakota State basketball was active in the transfer portal.
Two starters entered the transfer portal before it closed.
The transfer portal closed on April 21.
The Jackrabbits made headlines during this transfer cycle.
The Summit League quarterfinals were held in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Mentioned in this story
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
South Dakota State JackrabbitsSummit League
The college basketball transfer portal officially closed on Tuesday, April 21, and South Dakota State was a major part of that cycle. The Jackrabbit men stole headlines at the end of the portal, with two starters entering at the last second.
Here's a rundown of South Dakota State's transfer portal season.
Who Left?
South Dakota State Jackrabbits forward Damon Wilkinson (34) drives to the basket while playing against the St. Thomas Tommies during the Summit League quarterfinals on Thursday, March 5, 2026, at Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
South Dakota State Jackrabbits forward Damon Wilkinson (34) drives to the basket while playing against the St. Thomas Tommies during the Summit League quarterfinals on Thursday, March 5, 2026, at Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Damon Wilkinson, Nebraska
Wilkinson and fellow De Smet alum Kalen Garry made waves by entering the transfer portal at the final hour, and Wilkinson found a home just a week after the paperwork was officially processed. South Dakota State head coach Bryan Petersen said the timing of Wilkinson's entry was far from ideal.
His commitment to Nebraska shouldn't come as too much of a shock, with quality centers coming at a premium in modern college basketball. Wilkinson averaged 13.9 points per game on 58.9% from the field with 6.4 rebounds per night.
Nebraska went 28-7 last season, winning the first NCAA Tournament game in program history and making it to the Sweet 16 before losing to Iowa. The Cornhuskers were also one of the last unbeaten teams in the country.
It's definitely a big blow for the Jackrabbits, who lost 4/5 of their starting lineup from a 14-18 team in this portal cycle. Another starter, Matthew Mors, graduated, leaving just Joe Sayler as a returning starter.
Q&A
Who are the two starters from South Dakota State that entered the transfer portal?
The article does not specify the names of the two starters who entered the transfer portal.
When did the college basketball transfer portal close?
The college basketball transfer portal officially closed on April 21.
What impact did South Dakota State have on the transfer portal this season?
South Dakota State was a major part of the transfer portal cycle, making headlines with significant player movements.
Where did South Dakota State play their Summit League quarterfinals?
South Dakota State played their Summit League quarterfinals at Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
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South Dakota State Jackrabbits guard Bubz Alvarez (12) brings the ball up court during game against against the South Dakota Coyotes on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026, at First Bank and Trust Arena in Brookings, South Dakota.
South Dakota State Jackrabbits guard Bubz Alvarez (12) brings the ball up court during game against against the South Dakota Coyotes on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026, at First Bank and Trust Arena in Brookings, South Dakota.
Bubz Alvarez, Houston Christian
Alvarez was an important bench piece for South Dakota State before getting hurt, averaging 15.0 minutes per game. The lefty wing scored 4.5 points per game on 46.2% shooting.
He gets to return home to Houston, going to a Houston Christian team that went 12-20 overall and finished seventh in the Southland Conference.
South Dakota State Jackrabbits guard Luke Haertle (2) chases after the ball while playing against the St. Thomas Tommies during the Summit League quarterfinals on Thursday, March 5, 2026, at Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
South Dakota State Jackrabbits guard Luke Haertle (2) chases after the ball while playing against the St. Thomas Tommies during the Summit League quarterfinals on Thursday, March 5, 2026, at Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Luke Haertle, Winona State (DII)
Haertle is also going home, returning to Winona State, where he spent his sophomore season. It was the 6-foot-3 guard's third time in the transfer portal, having gone from Wisconsin to Winona State before the 2024-25 season.
Haertle came off the bench in 30 games this season, averaging 3.8 points per game on 37.0% shooting and 23.1% from three. He played 15.1 minutes per night and had a 43:33 assist-to-turnover ratio.
South Dakota State Jackrabbits guard Kalen Garry (10) drives to the basket during game against the South Dakota Coyotes on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026, at First Bank and Trust Arena in Brookings, South Dakota.
South Dakota State Jackrabbits guard Kalen Garry (10) drives to the basket during game against the South Dakota Coyotes on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026, at First Bank and Trust Arena in Brookings, South Dakota.
Kalen Garry, Uncommitted
Garry was another surprise portal entrant on the last day, and he is one of three Jackrabbits yet to find a new home. The portal closing doesn't mean he can't commit, but activity has definitely slowed down.
The De Smet product started all 32 games this season, averaging 10.7 points and 5.2 rebounds while 36.7% from deep and pacing the team in assists with 102. He is a quality role player who will likely find a comfortable landing spot.
South Dakota State Jackrabbits guard Jaden Jackson (14) shoots from the three-point line during the second half against the Kansas City Roos on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026, at First Bank & Trust Arena in Brookings, South Dakota.
South Dakota State Jackrabbits guard Jaden Jackson (14) shoots from the three-point line during the second half against the Kansas City Roos on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026, at First Bank & Trust Arena in Brookings, South Dakota.
Jaden Jackson, Uncommitted
Jackson is the final starter in the portal, and he was one of the Jackrabbits' go-to scorers throughout the year. He scored 12.2 points per night but wasn't the most efficient, shooting 37.8% from the field and 32.2% from deep. Jackson has the potential to be a complementary scoring guard in the right system.
Andrell Burton Jr., Uncommitted
Burton, a redshirt freshman from Wichita, Kansas, appeared in four games in 2025-26 after redshirting his freshman season. He scored seven points in 13 minutes.
Who came to SDSU?
Jesse Van Kalsbeek, Northwestern College (NAIA)
Van Kalsbeek is the crown jewel of this transfer class, as he was named the 2026 Bevo Francis Award winner for the top men's college basketball player in Division II, Division III, NAIA and junior colleges. The 6-foot-6 forward averaged 27.8 points, 12.4 rebounds and 4.7 assists while shooting 61.2% from the field and 41.2% from three.
"It was a huge commitment for us because he's really good," Petersen said. "He's a guy a lot of other programs were very high on, were very intrigued by and wanted. It was a big deal for us to get him because what he brings to our team is exactly what we were looking for — some added athleticism, ability to score the basketball around the rim and be a guy who can make plays for others."
Van Kalsbeek should be an immediate contributor for South Dakota State and fill in a big-time role for a team with little returning production.
EJ Ryans, Western Michigan
Ryans is the point guard Peterson wanted to get, but he feels comfortable playing him both on and off the ball. He averaged 7.5 points and 1.9 assists per outing on 39.8% shooting and 31.2% from three.
"He's just played a lot of Division I minutes in the MAC conference, which is a very good league," Petersen said. "It's kind of the full package with him with his leadership, his contagious energy off the court and on the court, his ability to guard the ball and a little more size at 6-2, 6-3."
Petersen really valued getting an experienced guard, and he did just that with Ryans.
Colorado State's Jon Mekonnen chases down a loose ball during a game against Nevada at Moby Arena on Dec. 30, 2025 in Fort Collins, Colo.
Colorado State's Jon Mekonnen chases down a loose ball during a game against Nevada at Moby Arena on Dec. 30, 2025 in Fort Collins, Colo.
Jon Mekonnen, Colorado State
Mekonnen was a top target for South Dakota State coming out of the Minneapolis area in high school, but he was snatched up by Colorado State. The 6-foot-8 forward only logged 54 minutes in 2025-26, but Petersen sees a role for him this upcoming season.
"He's really versatile, long, a really good athlete," Petersen said. "He's improved his perimeter game. He's another guy that can really guard a lot of different positions. One of the things we were really missing last year was a lot of versatile defenders, guys with a little more size to them, and that's what Jon brings."
Petersen valued getting length at the wing spot, allowing him to be flexible with his lineups. He feels he did that with Van Kalsbeek and Mekonnen.
Petersen said the roster is not finished, with one roster spot left that he plans on filling.
