Kansas basketball adds walk-on forward Justin Cross to 2023-24 roster
![Mar 17, 2022; Fort Worth, TX, USA; A view of the Wilson game basketballs and March Madness and Final Four logos during the second half pf the game between the Kansas Jayhawks and the Texas Southern Tigers in the first round of the 2022 NCAA Tournament at Dickies Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports Mar 17, 2022; Fort Worth, TX, USA; A view of the Wilson game basketballs and March Madness and Final Four logos during the second half pf the game between the Kansas Jayhawks and the Texas Southern Tigers in the first round of the 2022 NCAA Tournament at Dickies Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/178b0052d5d16dc441f4cd4f07c61b231a732bf549ba4920dd0b11ff5988ccf4.jpg)
Kansas basketball is bringing in Justin Cross, a 6-foot-9 walk-on forward who just won a championship with a JUCO team.
The Kansas Jayhawks made another offseason acquisition, though it might not be as significant as others. Justin Cross will join next year’s roster as a walk-on per head coach Bill Self.
Standing 6-foot-9, 215 pounds, Cross offers considerable size for a nonscholarship player. He spent the past two seasons at John A. Logan College, a JUCO in Carterville, Illinois. As a sophomore, he averaged 2.8 points and 4.4 rebounds across 35 contests.
Cross joins Wilder Evers, Michael Jankovich, Charlie McCarthy, and Dillon Wilhite as KU’s walk-ons. One or two more players are expected to join the team as walk-ons at one point this offseason.
ALSO READ: Big 12 transfer portal update (June 1)
allow us to introduce @JCross_4 ‼️ pic.twitter.com/Stgt0NgxJQ
— Kansas Men’s Basketball (@KUHoops) June 2, 2023
Cross certainly does not fit the mold of your average walk-on. He could see minutes with the second unit regularly at the beginning of the season, especially with the lack of big-man depth that the Jayhawks have. In fact, Cross will be the third tallest player on the roster, trailing the 7-foot-1 Hunter Dickinson and 6-foot-10 Parker Braun.
Although the move will likely not equate to much, Kansas basketball fans can hold out hope that Cross will somewhat contribute to the team in 2023-24. He could see time at the end of games or against lesser opponents.
Because he just received his associates degree at a community college, Cross will have two years of eligibility remaining — he enters the season as a junior. It will be interesting to see if he can carve out a role for himself once the regular season commences.
Next. Big 12 transfer portal update. dark
Follow @ThroughThePhog on Twitter and like our page @throughthephog on Facebook for more Kansas Jayhawks coverage. You can apply to write for us by clicking the link below.