Yet another Kansas basketball player is entering the transfer portal. Guard Elmarko Jackson joins Bryson Tiller and Paul Mbiya in the portal, as well as Flory Bidunga, who also declared for the 2026 NBA Draft.
Jackson may not be as surprising as Tiller and Mbiya. Three of the four recruits who committed to KU next season are guards or small forwards, and that does not include Tyran Stokes, who could still declare for Kansas.
All of those players would challenge Jackson for minutes. That doesn't include players still on the roster, like Jamari McDowell, Samis Calderon, and Corbin Allen.
Joe Tipton with On3 tweeted the news on X.
NEWS: Kansas guard Elmarko Jackson plans to enter the @TransferPortal, he told @On3.
— Joe Tipton (@JoeTipton) April 6, 2026
The 6-3 sophomore is a former top-25 recruit.https://t.co/frSN51qkOS pic.twitter.com/sT7sHk1WeP
Elmarko Jackson's decision to enter the transfer portal should result in more minutes
It was hard not to appreciate Jackson's contributions to Kansas this season. After he struggled his freshman season in 2023-24, he redshirted last year with a leg injury. He came back and offered hustle and heart for the Jayhawks this season.
Statistically, Jackson didn't offer as much as hoped. He averaged 4.8 points a game and 1.4 assists, in 17.8 minutes per outing. He was one of two key bench players, with Jamari McDowell, but combined, their output equaled that of one good reserve.
Jackson certainly has strengths that could lead to success elsewhere. He made 80.4 percent of his free throws and 37.2 percent of his three-point attempts. He plays tough defense and has the ability to increase pressure and intensity.
He just never found his footing at Kansas, despite being a highly ranked recruit. In a different program, he could shine as an excellent complementary piece on a good team. He will probably find more minutes elsewhere, especially when you look at the depth the Jayhawks will have in the backcourt next season.
His entry into the portal doesn't seem nearly as surprising as Tiller and Mbiya jumping in. There was a much clearer path to playing time for both of them, especially if Bidunga doesn't return. Davion Adkins is the only incoming recruit so far who was listed as an interior player.
Hopefully, Jackson will find more success at another school than he did at Kansas. Fans will remember how hard he played and how much he loved Kansas. It is sad to see him go, but this is probably the best thing for him. Good luck, Elmarko Jackson, wherever you land!
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