The WSU men’s basketball roster is in shambles.

With Calmese and both Watts unlikely to return, head coach David Riley’s starting lineup and top-line depth have been completely depleted. The only returning player to average more than 20 minutes per game is freshman guard Thomas Thrastarson, who averaged just 4.5 points last season.

The season came to a disappointing end with an 85-82 loss to Georgetown in the inaugural Crown Basketball Tournament, the last straw in a frustrating and depressing month for Cougar hoops. Before the tournament even started, the Cougs lost four players to the transfer portal, including key starters in junior Nate Calmese, and sophomores LeJuan Watts and Isaiah Watts. Seniors Cedric Coward, Ethan Price and Dane Erikstrup, who all also spent time in the starting lineup, graduated after the season. The WSU roster was cut in half by the season’s end.

Barring a change in the transfer portal, the Cougs are in line to not have a single senior on next year’s roster. Riley is in major need of a boost across the entirety of the roster.

With the roster depleted and no clear plan in place, the transfer portal could serve as a key resource and talent pool for Riley to give the roster a boost. The top of the portal has already seen Power 4 schools stake their claims, but there is still plenty of solid talent available. Here are six potential targets for the Cougars’ offseason rebuild:

Nic McClain, guard,  Eastern Washington (Jr.)

A holdover from the Riley-era Eagles, McClain averaged 10.2 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.9 steals last season. The 6-foot-3 all-around guard is a natural playmaker and was consistently a primary ball-handler for EWU. McClain thrived stepping into a bigger role last season after redshirting under Riley. With top Eagles transfer Mason Williams committing to Iowa State, McClain is the next best option from Cheney. It could be a realistic get due to his familiarity with Riley and the region.

Demarco Minor, guard, Oregon State (Sr.)

Minor, from a familiar Beavers team that stuck with the Cougs through the Pac-12 collapse, is just 6 feet tall but plays stronger and bigger than his size may suggest. He has a similar quick first step to Calmese and loves to get to his spot at the elbow where he shot 51%. Minor is comparable to Calmese in terms of playmaking and efficiency but is a stronger rebounder (10.4% vs. 6.6% rebounding percentage) and a better net rating (3.7 vs. -6.8). The graduate transfer may prefer a Power 4 opportunity but has yet to receive a significant offer, leaving Wazzu as a potential option with a big role available.

Langston Reynolds, guard, Northern Colorado (Jr.)

Reynolds dropped 16 points against Wazzu early in the 2024-25 season, but the Cougs only got a small taste of the 6-foot-4 scoring guard’s abilities. Reynolds was a unanimous All-Big Sky First Team selection and averaged 16.5 points, 5.8 rebounds and 3.5 assists. The Bears lost in the first round of the NIT to eventual runner-ups UC Irvine largely behind their second-leading scorer. Reynolds is not a willing three-point shooter, attempting just 44 shots all year, but is an elite finisher. Reynolds took 80% of his shots at the rim where he shot an efficient 66%.

Julius Mims, forward, Idaho (Sr.)

There’s nothing better than poaching from a cross-town rival. Mims, a graduate transfer, played just eight miles from Pullman last season, allowing for an easy potential transition. Mims is an ultra-athletic 6-foot-9 wing and excellent finisher at the rim, sporting a 66% true shooting percentage. The former Vandal is a dangerous pick-and-roll threat but is not to be slept on defensively. Mims was a 2024 Big Sky All-Defensive Team selection and his length makes it difficult for opponents to finish around the rim.

Tanner Toolson, guard, Utah Valley (So.)

A Vancouver, Washington, native, Toolson transferred from BYU after the 2022-23 season and saw his game steadily improve. Toolson was the Wolverines’ second-leading scorer last season, averaging 13.3 points and 4.0 rebounds. At 6-foot-5 and 200 pounds, Toolson is a solid-bodied guard and capable athlete, shooting 65% at the rim with the vertical jump to get high above the rim. The All-WAC Second Team member is also a ready and willing three-point shooter: he shot 35% from outside on 5.6 attempts per game. Toolson is a major positive when he’s on the court with an offensive rating of 118.6 and a net rating of 17.6.

Miles Goodman, forward, Penn State (Fr.)

Goodman saw very limited action this past season with the Nittany Lions, averaging just 1.2 points in 13 games. A Seattle native who attended high school in Southern California, Goodman was the second-highest recruit in Penn State’s program history as the No. 84 recruit nationally per 247 Sports. Goodman is 6-foot-11 and is an exceptional athlete, given his length and explosive finishing. Goodman is raw and has been limited in college action but has loads of potential and could be unlocked in a high-flying Riley offense just 300 miles from his hometown.