Last season, while freshman power forward Bryson Tiller had his moments, overall, there was still a lot of work to do in getting the spot to its highest level, and Tiller didn’t want to stick around for that.
So instead, via the NCAA Transfer Portal, the Kansas Jayhawks enlisted senior Keanu Dawes. Today’s task is to analyze not only Dawes, but the position as a whole to see how close the power forward spot is to being among the best in the Big 12.
Keanu Dawes: Dawes was ranked as the nation’s 55th-best prospect in the previous portal cycle and for good reason. Dawes ended the 2025-26 season averaging 12.5 points per game, 8.8 rebounds and 2.2 assists.
Dawes notched at least 20 points on three separate occasions last season, one of which was against the Jayhawks, when KU hosted the Utes in what turned into a 71-59 win for the Jayhawks. Against KU, Dawes compiled 22 points and 12 rebounds.
But beyond the occasional scoring burst, Dawes offers elite defensive rebounding. Last season, he finished 12th nationally in defensive rebounds per game with 6.81. For a team that averaged 27.1 defensive rebounds per game (5th in the nation in 2025-26), Dawes will do his part in keeping those numbers alive.
But maybe the biggest thing Dawes offers KU is leadership that KU would otherwise be lacking this year. Dawes is the only player on Kansas’ roster who has starting experience at another Big 12 school in the past.
Who else can step up at the power forward position?
The natural backup for Dawes was always going to be Davion Adkins. Adkins joins Kansas as a true freshman this season and was rated as the nation’s No. 76 prospect in the class of 2026.
Earlier this offseason, former Kansas legendary assistant coach Norm Roberts joined The Field of 68, where he glowed over Adkins’ potential.
“He is a typical Kansas forward that we would take, and we would say, ‘watch, by the end of his Sophomore year, he's a heck of a player,’ and he’s a junior and he's a really good player. That's what he's going to be because he's got great upside.”
The most awkward thing about Adkins is his height. Adkins stands at 6-foot-10, possibly making him a slightly oversized power forward. Adkins’ defense will have to be top-notch, because if the Jayhawks go up against several power forwards in the conference who are a few inches shorter but can get to the basket or have quick-flinch reactions, then Adkins could find himself caught out on occasion.
Overall Grade: A
The Jayhawks have done a good job of making sure their talent doesn't just run in the starting five alone; the power forward and shooting guard spots are great examples of that. While the ceiling for Dawes isn’t an All-American, his floor is really high and everything he offers should make him the perfect player for this offense. With Adkins providing support off the bench, things here are in good shape.
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