Kansas basketball: Is Creighton transfer Arthur Kaluma on KU’s radar?
Kansas basketball is still searching for another wing in the transfer portal. Will Creighton transfer Arthur Kaluma be the solution?
Kansas Jayhawks fans were stunned after Mackenzie Mgbako committed to Indiana. Once considered a KU lock, the top-10 recruit decided to head to Bloomington to play for head coach Mike Woodson. However, a program as prestigious as Kansas cannot get stuck up over missing out on one player.
The roster still has to fill several gaps, but none is more significant than the gaping hole at the wing position. Jalen Wilson and Gradey Dick are heading to the NBA, and former teammate Kevin McCullar likely will too. Those three players were the leading rebounders of last year’s team and made a tremendous impact with their size.
KJ Adams was the Big 12 Most Improved Player in 2022-23 but grabbed just 4.3 rebounds per game last season. At 6-foot-7 with no perimeter game, it will be challenging for Kansas to maximize his potential next to Hunter Dickinson. That is why they need to add a lengthy forward, and Arthur Kaluma is the perfect fit.
Kaluma, a 6-foot-7, 220-pound transfer from Creighton, is one of the top names remaining in the transfer portal. As a sophomore, he averaged 11.8 points and 6.0 rebounds across 37 games with the Bluejays.
Much like KJ, Kaluma is an athletic freak. He can jump out of the gym and defend smaller guards if needed with his elite lateral quickness. For his size, he is a terrific rebounder and can push the pace downhill in transition.
Although his jump shot is not too smooth, he hit 1.1 three-pointers per game at a 31.1 percent clip last season. Kansas will gladly take that for a team that lacks outside shooting.
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Adding Kaluma would presumably move KJ to the sixth-man role off the bench. He would improve the spacing on the floor for the Jayhawks while Hunter Dickinson attempts to get a position in the post, as he is a capable shooter who can stand behind the arc if needed.
Similar to fellow KU transfer target Grant Nelson, Kaluma is participating in the 2023 NBA Draft Combine. He has until May 31st to decide whether he wishes to retain his college eligibility. If Kaluma does return to school, he made it clear that he will not return to Creighton.
Kansas has been in close contact with Kaluma, and Bill Self is likely a huge fan of his game. Acquiring a player as versatile as he would strengthen KU’s chances of winning a national championship in 2024.
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