With transfer portal entries at an all-time high, Kansas has plenty of talent to target in the coming weeks. Kohl Rosario is the only expected returnee, leaving Bill Self in the midst of another swift rebuild.
Melvin Council Jr. is another player who could still return, depending on NCAA eligibility developments. The Mr. Jayhawk Award winner is open to a comeback, though the chances remain very slim.
With several holes to fill, Kansas is expected to show strong interest in multiple guards who recently entered the transfer portal. Let’s take a look at three of the top options for Bill Self this spring.
Isaiah Johnson
After a standout freshman season at Colorado, Johnson entered the transfer portal and quickly emerged as one of the top guards available. Under-recruited out of high school, the former three-star point guard received his only high-major offer from Colorado, where he made the most of his opportunity.
The 6-foot-1 shot creator from Los Angeles broke onto the college basketball scene this past season, averaging 16.9 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 3.0 assists while shooting 37.5% from deep. Johnson is an elite ball handler with an impressive assist-to-turnover ratio. Additionally, he ranks in the 94th percentile in drawing fouls and getting to the charity stripe.
Kansas is believed to have strong mutual interest with Johnson, though his exact standing on Bill Self’s board remains unclear. Several programs—including Arkansas, Houston, Kentucky, Texas, UCLA, and USC—are expected to be involved, with no decision timeline currently set. More updates are expected soon.
Jaylen Petty
After a productive freshman season with the Red Raiders, Petty entered the transfer portal. The 6-foot-1 Texas Tech guard was a key contributor for Grant McCasland’s squad this past season, averaging 9.9 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 2.2 assists while knocking down 37.5% of his three-point attempts on high volume.
Petty brings exceptional basketball IQ and a relentless motor. A natural scorer who is tough to contain, he makes getting open looks appear easy. Hailing from Seattle, he played high school ball at Rainier Beach, the same program that produced No. 1 overall recruit and current Kansas target Tyran Stokes.
Petty has already conducted a Zoom meeting with the Jayhawks, along with Minnesota, Oregon, UCLA, Vanderbilt, Washington, and Xavier. A decision from the young guard could come in the near future.
Alongside incoming five-star guard Taylen Kinney, any of these three high-level guards would make an immediate, significant impact on next season’s Jayhawks roster.
Can Bill Self bring one of these high-level guards to Lawrence next season?
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