Kostas Kostadinov, a Bulgarian forward who had been courting several mid‑major programs, signed with the Mississippi State Bulldogs this summer only to withdraw weeks later, leaving the team without the frontcourt presence they had counted on.
The withdrawal comes after Kostadinov spent a season in Spain’s Liga ACB, where he posted modest numbers of 4.4 points and 2.6 rebounds per game, yet his résumé includes a long stint with the Bulgarian youth national team, where he averaged 13 points, eight rebounds and two assists over 37 appearances from 2017 to 2025.
He also earned caps for the senior Bulgarian side, contributing seven points and three rebounds in 27 games, a track record that had made him an attractive prospect for programs seeking size and versatility.
Mississippi State’s response has been to lean heavily on the NCAA transfer portal, a strategy that has become central to the Bulldogs’ attempt to reshape a roster that fell short of expectations last season.
Among the incoming pieces are transfers such as Kendyl Sanders from Utah, RJ Johnson from Kennesaw State, TJ Simpkins from Seton Hall, Thomas Bassong from Florida State, ND Okafor from Washington State, Trevor Reed from Denison and Ashton Magee from Southern, each of whom brings a different skill set to the mix.
The Bulldogs have also bolstered their coaching staff with new assistants, hoping the blend of experience and fresh talent will translate into a competitive nonconference slate that includes matchups against Georgia Tech, Tennessee Tech, Northwestern State, Jackson State, Alabama A&M, Marquette, Xavier, Mississippi Valley State and Campbell.
Looking Ahead
The coming months will test how quickly the Bulldogs can gel, especially as they navigate a demanding schedule while integrating a dozen newcomers. If the early chemistry holds, the team could surprise many observers and restore the momentum that seemed lost when Kostadinov walked away.