Last season, Kohl Rosario’s freshman season started with a bang. In two of his first 13 games, he notched 10+ points and was looking as if he was set to be a key contributor. But as Bill Self put it earlier this week, “probably in hindsight, he was too good, too fast last year.”
Rosario’s role began to take a dramatic hit as the hustle and bustle of Big 12 basketball kicked off, and with that started a cold streak from Rosario that included seven straight games without a bucket.
“Guys, he wasn't good. He was terrific in the early season. We put him in a situation that he should be a high school senior, and it was a little too much too quick. We won't have that issue this year.”
Rosario then picked up his form in his last two appearances of the season, but ultimately, while there were moments of promise, Rosario’s freshman season finished more as a mixed bag. However, heading into the 2026-27 campaign, Self expects that to change.
“He's about all the right stuff”
“Talk about leadership, he's probably as good a vocal leader, and he's about all the right stuff.”
During the offseason, while most other Kansas players were navigating their way out of the ball club, only Rosario and center Paul Mbiya were the only two who opted/had the ability to stay.
“So, I think he'll be better from a confidence standpoint, no question. But he needs to see some good things happen, and he needs to know that we have confidence in him.”
Last season, Rosario totaled 98 points, 13 assists, 38 rebounds and 8 steals. The former 4-star totaled a 42.5% field goal rate, and a 28.6% rate from beyond the arc.
Rosario’s season-high peaked at 13 points in a 90-61 win over Davidson, the last game he would score in for nearly two months.
“…I'm hoping people, by midseason, are saying that, you're only gonna have him for two years,” finished Self.
Where could Rosario end up at the end of the season?
There are certainly attributes that the NBA will look at as extreme positives for Rosario. For one, he has freak athleticism that allows him to come out of nowhere to poke away a tip ball or grab a rebound most others couldn’t. Rosario also offers a certain buzz that can flip the momentum of a game. Against Houston and St. John’s last season, Rosario’s cameo made big impacts, even though they each ended in a loss.
When clicking, Rosario has developed a neat form; if it is just a confidence thing with him, then hopefully next season provides the chance for Self and the staff to fine-tune it.
While his role hasn’t and will not be labeled until the season is close to getting started, Rosario will inevitably have a bigger impact than last season, as last year he notched 11.9 minutes per game. Do not be surprised to see that number almost double for his sophomore season.
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