Michigan State is actively seeking a new basketball center.
Several potential candidates from the transfer portal have been considered and subsequently removed from their list. Currently, two primary targets appear to be Aiden Sherrell, transferring from Alabama, and Samet Yigitoglu, transferring from SMU. However, Anton Bonke, who previously played for Charlotte, is also emerging as a viable option, with MSU players Jeremy Fears Jr. and Coen Carr notably following him on Instagram.
Introducing Bonke
Bonke, whom I previously identified as a potential recruit before the transfer window opened, completed a successful season at Charlotte. He averaged 10.6 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks per game. He played an average of 25.6 minutes per game, starting in 32 of the 49ers’ 34 games this season.
Despite his impressive height of 7 feet 2 inches and weight of 270 pounds, Bonke possesses the ability to shoot from a distance. This season, he successfully made 13 three-pointers out of 38 attempts, achieving a 34.2% accuracy from beyond the arc. Bonke also maintains high efficiency close to the basket, converting 61.8% of his two-point shots this year.
His rebounding ability is another notable asset. According to KenPom statistics, he ranked as the 40th best offensive rebounder and 53rd best defensive rebounder in the nation this season. His average of 8.3 rebounds per game placed him fourth within the American Conference this year.
Moving from the American Conference to the Big Ten is generally considered a manageable transition. The American is typically recognized as one of the stronger mid-major conferences, ranking 10th nationally this year out of 31 conferences. Its champion, South Florida, received an 11th seed in the NCAA Tournament, and runner-up Tulsa reached the NIT final.
Additional Information
Bonke’s next university will be his fourth institution in his four years of college basketball. He began at the junior college level at Eastern Arizona College before transferring to Providence in the Big East. During his year with the Friars, Bonke’s role was inconsistent, as he appeared in only 16 games, with just one start.
This history may raise some questions about Bonke’s overall eligibility. While Charlotte listed him as a junior, suggesting next year could be his final season, he might be eligible for a fifth year because his initial freshman season was spent at a junior college, which operates outside NCAA regulations.
Finally, an interesting detail is that Bonke originates from Vanuatu, a small island nation located off the northeastern coast of Australia and west of Fiji. The country’s total population is slightly over 300,000 residents, a figure comparable to the populations of cities like Honolulu or Cleveland.
