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Bill Self makes dream comparison for incoming transfer that will get Kansas fans excited

The Kansas Jayhawks have an incoming player who reminds Bill Self of this former KU star.
ByConnor Mardian|
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Mar 14, 2026; Cleveland, OH, USA; Toledo Rockets guard Leroy Blyden Jr. (2) celebrates after hitting a three point basket against the Akron Zips during the first half of the men’s Mid-American Conference Championship at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
Mar 14, 2026; Cleveland, OH, USA; Toledo Rockets guard Leroy Blyden Jr. (2) celebrates after hitting a three point basket against the Akron Zips during the first half of the men’s Mid-American Conference Championship at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Bill Self has had an illustrious career as head coach of the Kansas Jayhawks. On almost every team, you can find at least one player who stole the hearts of KU fans and cemented themselves as cult heroes. 

While fans are yet to find that player so far, Self has already had to answer to comparisons between incoming sophomore guard Leroy Blyden Jr. and former KU star Devonte’ Graham. 

Blyden is a superstar in the making

Blyden comes to KU after just one season of college basketball at Toledo. From game one, Blyden imposed himself as one of the game’s best young guards. By the time the season wrapped up, Blyden had notched 16.4 points per game, 4 rebounds and 4.5 assists. Blyden finished his freshman year as a member of the All-MAC Team, All-MAC Freshman Team, All-MAC Tournament Team, and as the MAC Rookie of the Year. 

Overall, the Rockets finished the season with a 19-15 overall record, falling short of the NCAA Tournament by a 79-76 heartbreaker at the hands of Akron, where Blyden led all scorers with 21 points on an 8-15 night from the field. 

“There are similarities. Leroy may have more range. Devonte’ looks bigger to me, even though not a lot bigger, maybe an inch. Leroy is probably the best offensive rebounding 6’1 guy you've seen, which, you know, I don't know if you recruit guys that are 6'1 because they can really offensive rebound, but sneaky good at that,” opened Self during his media availability earlier this week. 

“Devonte's a little stronger, but there are some similarities. In my opinion, and, of course, I don't know them all, but he [Blyden] was as impressive to me as any mid-major guard last year out there.”

Blyden is following in the footsteps of a Kansas fan-favorite

Graham played a massive role from his freshman season, never playing less than an average of 17.8 minutes per game. His first three seasons saw him develop into one of the Big 12’s most consistent guards. However, his fourth and final year saw him become a national powerhouse.

Graham averaged 17.3 points, 7.2 assists, 4 rebounds and 1.6 steals on a 40.0% field goal rate. Graham was named to almost every team under the sun, including the AP All-American First Team, All-American First Team, Men’s NABC All-America First Team, Sporting News All-American First Team, USBWA All-America Team and Wooden All-America Team.

Safe to say if Blyden can reach even half of these heights, he will go down as one of the best KU players since the turn of the decade. 

Reasonable expectations for the sophomore

Blyden may very well play part in a combo guard setup for the Kansas Jayhawks next season alongside incoming 5-star Taylen Kinney. The pair may very well share ball-handling duties with the nation’s No. 1 player, small forward Tyran Stokes. Self has raved over Stokes’ passing thus far, so don’t be surprised to see that be the lineup come the Fall.

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