Former UNLV forward Kimani Hamilton is reportedly transferring back to Mississippi State for the 2026-27 season, according to Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports. Hamilton began his collegiate career at Mississippi State during the 2022-23 season. Hamilton saw limited minutes on the court during his freshman season at Mississippi State.
He averaged just 2.6 points in seven minutes per game before transferring to High Point for his sophomore and junior seasons. At High Point, Hamilton started in all 71 games he played and averaged 14 points, 5.9 rebounds and 2.3 assists across two seasons. After his junior season, Hamilton transferred to UNLV, where he also started in all 35 games he played in and averaged 12.8 points, 4.9 rebounds and 2.3 assists.
Hamilton was one of several players from the high school Class of 2022 who were granted a fifth year of eligibility for the 2026-27 season. Judge Charlotte Sweeney of the U.S. District Court of Colorado granted a class-wide preliminary injunction that made Hamilton eligible to compete.
"All persons in the United States who began to play in collegiate sports in the 2022-2023 season, competed in NCAA Division I sports, and completed four years of eligibility as defined by the NCAA's prior rules by the conclusion of the 2025-2026 season, and are therefore barred from playing a fifth season due to the NCAA's adoption and immediate implementation of the Five-Year Eligibility Rule," the class certification read. Hamilton will now use his fifth year of eligibility to finish his career where he started it. Mississippi State missed the NCAA Tournament last season and will look to return this season.
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