Kansas head coach Bill Self has finally given Jayhawks fans something to celebrate in the transfer portal rather than grumble about. After a couple of visits that haven't amounted to anything yet, Kansas officially has landed its first transfer of the offseason, and it is a familiar face.
Former Utah guard Keanu Dawes was reportedly making a visit to Lawrence on Wednesday, and all must have gone well. Thursday morning, Dawes' agent Rob Murphy told Jeff Goodman and the Field of 68 that Dawes was transferring to the Jayhawks, staying in the Big 12, and joining one of the biggest blue blood programs in the country.
Kansas has landed Utah transfer Keanu Dawes, his agent Rob Murphy of Equity Sports told @thefieldof68.
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) April 16, 2026
The 6-9 forward averaged 12.5 points and 8.8 boards this past season.
Dawes choosing the Jayhawks comes at a huge moment as Self desperately needed something good out of the transfer portal. The Jayhawks should be pretty familiar with Dawes, as he was a big component for Utah in its loss to the Jayhawks back in early February.
The junior forward scored 22 points and reeled in 12 rebounds against the Jayhawks, so he could be the size in the paint Kansas needs with the loss of Flory Bidunga and Bryson Tiller. Over the entire season, Dawes averaged 12.5 points per game, 8.8 rebounds, and 2.2 assists, shooting 52.3% from the floor.
Dawes will still test the NBA Draft waters this offseason, but is expected to return to Kansas.
The flood gates need to open for Bill Self in the transfer portal
While the college basketball world continues to watch the Tyran Stokes saga unfold in his decision between Kentucky and Kansas, Bill Self can't focus on just one player. Self came back to Kansas and days later was given one of the toughest roster rebuilds in the country with seven players leaving for the transfer portal, a few without eligibility, and Darryn Peterson heading to the NBA.
Stokes will make his decision, and Kansas will continue to pursue him until he does, but Self has to focus on the upcoming visits out of the portal. Kansas is hosting Terrence Brown, another Utah transfer, and at this point, Kansas needs the experience on the roster.
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