Kansas basketball: Way-too-early lineup predictions for the 2023-24 Jayhawks
By Kyle Jones
Power Forward
Josh: KJ Adams
It is impossible to fathom Bill Self running another small ball lineup this season. KJ will start no matter who Kansas lands in the portal, but it will not be the team’s primary big man. He will have to work on multiple aspects of his game — it would be a Jayhawk fan’s dream come true if Adams developed a consistent three-point jumper. This would add so much versatility to the Kansas lineup.
Adams is an uber-athletic forward who is abnormally strong for his size, and although his post moves are lacking, he would not have to do much offensively aside from his routine tip-ins, alley-oops, and driving dunks. As Kyle mentions, a role as the team’s point forward could open up, although this is a spot that Cleveland would hypothetically take over. Cleveland and Adams would make up one of the most athletic frontcourts a Bill Self team has ever seen. Adams and Harris are the only-sure fire-starting players next season.
Kyle: KJ Adams
The frontcourt is a little bit tricky with a certain addition to the transfer portal and KU’s chase to get him. Assuming we add some height at the center position, I think Adams has what it takes to transition to more of a power forward instead of his normal center spot. On offense, he has good court vision and could play a bit of the new-age “point forward” role if his ball handling gets under control. Plus, if he were to play next to a big man that can spread the floor (a possible spoiler alert for my center position), he could still easily get his pick-and-roll action with Harris while contributing in other areas.
On defense, his ability to defend on the perimeter makes the transition to the four spot even easier than on offense. He is agile enough to defend wings and plenty strong to handle them down low. This would allow him to move away from guarding guys multiple inches taller than him and being at a disadvantage.