All you hope for heading into the summer before the next college basketball season is to establish your roster and keep everyone healthy. That won’t be the case for defending Big Ten Champion Michigan State. The Spartans had high hopes for one of their newest transfer additions. Kaleb Glenn appeared to be heading for a potential starting role for the Spartans in 2025-26. That will have to wait, as Glenn will be out for the season following a non-contact knee injury.
Michigan State Suffers Crushing Blow with Injury News for Projected Starter
One of the biggest needs for the Spartans for this coming season was to address the shooting woes from last year’s team. MSU lost its top three best shooting options with Jase Richardson off to the NBA, Jaden Akins‘ graduation, and Tre Holloman‘s departure in the portal. Hence, coach Izzo went looking in the portal and found some guys that could help the team improve its shooting. Trey Fort and Kaleb Glenn. Glenn, who spent last season at FAU, was a productive scorer from outside on the wing. That was certainly a spot the Spartans haven’t had the size and the shooting from in several seasons.
Glenn certainly fit the need, and appeared to be well on track to compete alongside Coen Carr and others for the starting job on the wing. Fast forward, and Glenn had arrived on campus for summer workouts. Everyone had begun to come together and get everything revved up. Glenn now finds himself on the shelf for the 2025-26 season.
Rumors Were Right
A lot of talk started appearing on social media over the last 24 hours about an injury concern for Glenn. Sure, rumors start all the time on social media, but a lot of smoke was burning on this one. As it turns out, the rumors of a significant injury to Glenn were true. Joe Tipton from On3 Sports reported that Glenn suffered a torn patellar tendon and will miss the entire season.
Michigan State forward Kaleb Glenn has suffered a torn patellar tendon and will miss the entire season, he told @On3sports.
The plan is for the transfer from Florida Atlantic to redshirt this upcoming season.
Averaged 12.6 points and 4.8 rebounds per game at FAU.… pic.twitter.com/UB0eQWxiez
— Joe Tipton (@TiptonEdits) June 18, 2025
A torn patellar tendon spells doom to what could’ve been a massive 2025-26 for Glenn. That was later formally addressed by Michigan State and Head Coach Tom Izzo in a statement shared via Chris Solari from the Detroit Free Press.
MSU hoops transfer Kaleb Glenn to have knee surgery and miss 2025-26 season. pic.twitter.com/W4UR1w9Dhg
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) June 18, 2025
It’s certainly a devastating moment for Glenn and Michigan State. The statement also made it clear that Glenn will take a redshirt for the season, keeping his eligibility intact. The injury occurred on Monday during a team non-contact workout. Noncontact injuries are the worst kind, and they make things harder for a player to return from. Luckily, Glenn will undergo surgery on Thursday, according to the statement.
What’s Next for the Spartans
The injury certainly shakes up the potential lineup for Michigan State. Now you have to expect it will fall to Carr and incoming freshman Jordan Scott. Carr is a great athlete and big-play dunker, but he lacks the shooting that Glenn would’ve given the team. It’s going to be hard to see him improve that in less than three months. Not to mention the pressure Scott will be under, as will other incoming freshman Cam Ward, is crazy. To say this derails the Spartans in 2025-26, sure, they are going to be in for another dog fight, especially with the schedule they have, but Izzo’s been counted out before, so time will tell what will happen for this team.
The margin for error gets even thinner, but better this happened now than in the middle of the season. Best wishes to Kaleb, just not the way you want to see a season end before it even starts.
Featured image: © Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
