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Kansas basketball: Predicting the Jayhawks starting 5 and key bench players

By Joshua Schulman

DES MOINES, IOWA - MARCH 18: Dajuan Harris Jr. #3 of the Kansas Jayhawks dribbles the ball against Davonte Davis #4 of the Arkansas Razorbacks during the second half in the second round of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Wells Fargo Arena on March 18, 2023 in Des Moines, Iowa. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
DES MOINES, IOWA - MARCH 18: Dajuan Harris Jr. #3 of the Kansas Jayhawks dribbles the ball against Davonte Davis #4 of the Arkansas Razorbacks during the second half in the second round of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Wells Fargo Arena on March 18, 2023 in Des Moines, Iowa. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 06: Nicolas Timberlake #25 of the Towson Tigers takes a jump shot over Reyne Smith #2 of the Charleston Cougars during the CAA Men’s Basketball Championship – semifinal game at the Entertainment & Sports Arena on March 6, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 06: Nicolas Timberlake #25 of the Towson Tigers takes a jump shot over Reyne Smith #2 of the Charleston Cougars during the CAA Men’s Basketball Championship – semifinal game at the Entertainment & Sports Arena on March 6, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /

Key Bench Players: Nick Timberlake, Johnny Furphy

The first transfer portal addition of the offseason was former Towson Tiger Nick Timberlake. A sixth-year sharpshooter from Massachusetts, Timberlake has a knockdown jumper and many different elements to his game. He averaged 17.7 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 2.4 assists on 45.5/41.6/84.5 shooting splits.

While Kansas could certainly use his outside shooting in the starting lineup, he leaves something to be desired defensively. He is more qualified as a 15-20-minute guy off the bench who can serve as a microwave when the offense is struggling.

Meanwhile, Johnny Furphy is an incoming freshman who was recruited after Kansas lost two of its 2023 signees. The Australian phenom burst onto the scene over the summer in the NBA Academy Games and garnered interest from top college basketball programs, ultimately deciding to reclassify to 2023 and commit to the Jayhawks.

It could take some time for Furphy to become acclimated to college ball. However, he could become a mainstay in the rotation by as early as December if he adjusts quickly.

Jamari McDowell and Parker Braun are the other scholarship players on the roster, but Bill Self has been known to run seven or eight men per game. With rock-solid pieces at four of the team’s five starting spots, those two shouldn’t receive much run by the time conference play arrives unless injuries transpire.

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