History typically shows that more experienced rosters are more likely to perform at the collegiate level. Kansas basketball coach Bill Self assembled one of the oldest and most seasoned teams in the sport this offseason, earning his squad the title of the nation’s preseason No. 1.
While the Jayhawks’ roster is chock-full of veterans, none of them are particularly gushing with NBA potential. In 247 Sports analyst Adam Finkelstein's most recent edition of "The Draftables," which he describes as "a comprehensive look at all the 2025 NBA prospects playing college basketball," he only listed a quartet of current Kansas players.
Four Kansas basketball players have future NBA Draft potential
According to Finkelstein, the only four Jayhawks with a chance to be drafted are Flory Bidunga, Zeke Mayo, Dajuan Harris, and Hunter Dickinson. Most mock drafts do not have the latter two players being selected, while the former two have a much better shot.
Bidunga is the only player listed as a first-round prospect, while the others graded out as second-rounders. The Democratic Republic of the Congo native’s physical tools are undeniable, with a 7-foot-2 wingspan and incredible shot-blocking skills. His offensive game is still relatively raw, but he has plenty of time to refine it over the next year.
Mayo flew under the radar throughout high school and was not highly coveted by Power 5 schools. However, he garnered outside interest with stellar sophomore and junior seasons at South Dakota State and transferred to his hometown school to finish his college career. Through 23 games, the 6-foot-4 guard is averaging 15.1 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 3.0 assists. The most significant part of his game is his 3-point shooting, as he makes 2.5 per game at a 40.7% clip.
Bidunga is likely at least one year away from entering the draft, and the other three players may not even hear their names called at the podium. However, they each have a unique skill set that certain teams may be fond of with a late flier.