247Sports just released their final high school rankings for the Class of 2023. Where did Kansas basketball’s commits land?
Each year, 247Sports updates its recruit rankings as the season progresses. With the school year coming to a close, they just released their final rankings. The Kansas Jayhawks have four incoming freshmen in the Class of 2023.
While eyes will be on Hunter Dickinson, Dajuan Harris, and others to make up the roster, KU’s recruits could also make a tremendous impact. Kansas’ class ranks sixth in the nation with one five-star and three four-stars.
Find out where KU’s four signees landed on 247Sports’ final 2023 high school rankings from top to bottom.
1. Elmarko Jackson (No. 22 to No. 18)
The only commit to make a jump on the rankings, Jackson had a terrific senior season and impressed in the McDonald’s All-American Game. He finishes as the No. 3 point guard in the class and the No. 1 player from Connecticut.
Jackson will need to compete for minutes with Arterio Morris and fellow freshmen guards, but he should be the most impactful recruit that Bill Self’s staff brought in. His combination of athleticism and inside scoring makes him a threat to start alongside Dajuan Harris.
2. Marcus Adams Jr. (No. 37 to No. 45)
Although he was expected to attend UCLA, Adams Jr. surprised everyone when he chose Kansas as his next school. Just a day after KU lost to Arkansas in the Round of 32, he then reclassed from 2024 to 2023, making him immediately eligible for the next season. Despite being one year behind other recruits in his class, Adams finishes in the top-50.
Questions have arisen regarding the competition Adams Jr. faced in high school. However, he has the potential to become a serious three-point threat and inside scorer. There is a lot of Jalen Wilson in his game, and by year two, he could be a starting-caliber player.
3. Chris Johnson (No. 43 to No. 71)
The rankings were not in favor of Johnson at all. After a breakout junior year, he struggled greatly as a senior at Montverde Academy, averaging 5.9 points per game. There were murmurs that he would request a release from his NLI, but Kyle Cuffe Jr. was the odd man out in the guard room.
It might take a season or two for Johnson to see much time on the floor. Like Jackson, he is an athletic combo guard, but his game has not materialized fully. Johnson finishes as the No. 6 player in Texas and the No. 11 combo guard in the nation.
4. Jamari McDowell (No. 74 to No. 81)
McDowell slightly dipped in the rankings and is KU’s third combo guard commit. As is the case with Johnson, it is hard to see either of these players contributing much this season.
A redshirt year could be taken by McDowell to save a year of his college eligibility if KU cannot guarantee him any playing time. He should not be ruled out yet, though, because he is a high-intensity guard with long arms and defensive potential.