Jamari McDowell is the latest Kansas basketball player to announce his intention to enter the transfer portal. He joins Flory Bidunga, Bryson Tiller, Paul Mbiya, and Elmarko Jackson in the concerning mass exodus of players leaving KU.
At some point, folks have to wonder what is going on with Self and the Kansas basketball program. It was a reasonable assumption that when Self confirmed his return next season, the Jayhawks would be loaded for the 2026-27. Instead, two starters and three key role players have bolted.
McDowell was a solid player off the bench who was a good on-ball defender who could sink some big three-point shots now and then. Now, he's gone, leaving yet another hole in the roster.
Jamari McDowell will look for more playing time elsewhere and is leaving Kansas
McDowell played limited minutes as a freshman, then redshirted his second year at KU. This last season, he showed tremendous improvement, averaging 3.3 points per game, 1.6 rebounds, and 1.1 assists in 17.3 minutes per outing.
McDowell probably won't find a program with the pedigree of Kansas, but he's certain to find a bigger opportunity. He has the skills to be a significant contributor at another school. He will help any team's overall defense as well, as he displays heart and hustle on both ends of the court.
He is a player who could have been an important veteran presence on a young team. Now, like most of the other KU players from last season, McDowell is gone.
Is Self chasing these players away, thinking he can find similar or better players easily, or are they leaving due to playing time, or is it all about money? Is the Kansas brand dead? While it is understandable for players like Jackson and McDowell to want to find more opportunities to start, it makes little sense for guys like Bidunga and Tiller, who were starters.
Both Jackson and McDowell showed loyalty in staying for this season, and for them to leave now is concerning when considering the picture as a whole.
Kansas fans should be worried because what Self has been doing hasn't been working for four seasons now. Something isn't clicking with him and his players, and it can't just be about the money.
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