For the last time (hopefully), I will mention how disappointing the 2024 season was for the Kansas Jayhawks. After being the preseason number one team in the country, the Jayhawks finished sixth in the Big 12 and were bounced in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. A large reason for their struggles over the past couple of years has been the inconsistency from the incoming transfers.
In 2023, the Jayhawks had the best transfer class in the country, which included arguably the biggest name to ever enter the transfer portal. Hunter Dickinson was a two-time All-American during his time at Kansas and his offensive skillset was undeniably one of the best in the country. However, even he was a liability due to his lack of defensive prowess. The other two big additions that year were Arterio Morris, who was dismissed from the team before ever playing a game, and Nick Timberlake, who averaged an underwhelming 5.2 points during his lone season in Lawrence.
In 2024, they had the third ranked transfer class, featuring a handful of players that were expected to have a significant impact. AJ Storr was the big name this time around. The ex-Wisconsin Badger averaged 17 points in 2023 and was supposed to carry the offensive workload alongside Dickinson. That didn't come to fruition, however, as he averaged just 6.1 points in less than 16 minutes per game. Luckily, Zeke Mayo was able to step up on the offensive end. The Lawrence native poured in nearly 15 points per game and became the Jayhawks' most dangerous offensive weapon. Other players like Rylan Griffin, David Coit, and Shakeel Moore disappointed for different reasons (inconsistency from Griffin, defensive struggles from Coit, and injury from Moore).
In order for the Jayhawks to get back to their typical level of play, they will have to get the transfer portal right in 2025. Here is what I consider to be the three biggest needs for the coaching staff to target in the transfer portal.
Priority #1 - Outside Shooting
In three seasons since winning the National Championship in 2022, here is where the Jayhawks have ranked in 3-point percentage: 143rd, 194th, 89th. While 89th isn't necessarily bad, it isn't up to the normal standard for Kansas. What makes that number even worse is the fact that Mayo accounted for 36-percent of the total 3-pointers made this season. David Coit had the second most makes with 46. After him, the next best shooter, Rylan Griffin, was under 34-percent on outside shots. When you have a dominant offensive presence on the inside like Hunter Dickinson, it makes his life much harder when you can't spread the floor around him.
With Dickinson leaving, the interior offense will be held down by Flory Bidunga. He won't be quite the force Dickinson was, but he still needs room to work. With guys like Timberlake and Storr being disappointments, the staff really needs to hit on a few guys in this department. Given the amount of ball handlers coming back for the Jayhawks, it would be nice to get some bigger guards and wings that can really shoot the ball well.
Best Options (height - 3-point percentage - 3-point attempts - positional flexibility)
Pryce Sandfort (6-foot-7 - 40.0% - 4.2 - SF, PF)
Josh Dix (6-foot-6 - 42.2% - 4.8 - SG, SF, small ball PF)
Isaac McKneely (6-foot-4 - 42.1% - 7.5 - SG)
Priority #2 - Effort
I am not one to question a player's loyalty or how much they care when they are on the court. However, there is something to be said about players that give 110-percent every second they are in the game. Two players who have personified that for the past four years will no longer be on the Jayhawks roster. Replacing guys like Dajuan Harris and KJ Adams is about so much more than just finding players to give the same amount of box score production.
This may be the toughest attribute to find in today's landscape of college sports. Now that the top players are getting paid, some of them have probably lowered their level of effort because they are already getting the money that they have been working towards. The coaching staff has to really work hard to find guys that will completely buy in to the program and the culture, even though they may only be there for a single season.
As hard as it is for the coaches to find players that fit, it is basically impossible for me to pinpoint some options that fit. Therefore, I won't be giving any "Best Options" for this group. However, if I had to guess, they are looking for players who bring energy and effort every time they touch the floor.
Priority #3 - Frontcourt Depth
Replacing Hunter Dickinson, at least on the offensive end of the court, will be a monumental task for Bill Self and the rest of the coaching staff. This season, the front court minutes were split between Dickinson, Adams, and Bidunga. With two of those players departing, there will be a ton of minutes that need replaced in 2025. The coaching staff will need to bring in some players to play alongside Bidunga in the paint.
Bryson Tiller and Samis Calderon should both compete for minutes, as both are top 100 players from their class (Tiller in 2024 and Calderon in 2025). They both have versatile skill sets and can be used on the perimeter and closer to the basket. However, neither of them have played a second of college basketball, so their production is still unknown. Adding a couple players with experience at this level would be huge for both of them and Bidunga.
It would be nice to add a big man that can stretch the floor, a lot like what Tiller and Calderon may be able to provide. A bruiser type would also be a welcomed addition to play next to the somewhat slender frame of Bidunga.
Best Options (height - weight - points - rebounds - 3-point percentage)
Nick Davidson (6-foot-10 - 238 pounds - 15.8 points - 6.5 rebounds - 37.1%)
*Cooper Schwieger (6-foot-10 - 230 pounds - 15.8 points - 7.8 rebounds - 29.9%)
Oscar Cluff (6-foot-11 - 260 pounds - 17.6 points - 12.3 rebounds - N/A)
*Schwieger is from Overland Park, Kansas