With just four days remaining until tip-off on opening night, it's time to turn our attention and shine the spotlight on incoming Kansas freshman Samis Calderon.
The 6-foot-8 forward from Espírito Santo, Brazil, is a four-star prospect ranked No. 84 nationally, according to 247Sports. He graduated from the NBA Academy Latin America in San Luis Potosí, Mexico.
Calderon represented Brazil at the 2022 FIBA U18 Americas Championship in Tijuana, Mexico, and later helped his team capture the South American Championship title in Caracas, Venezuela.
In 2023, Calderon earned Defensive MVP honors at the FIBA/NBA Basketball Without Borders Global Camp held near Montreal, Canada. Just a week later, he represented Brazil at the FIBA U19 World Cup in Debrecen, Hungary, averaging 9.6 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 1.0 steals per game.
From there, Calderon spent two seasons with the Cold Hearts of the Overtime Elite league in Atlanta, Georgia.
In his first season with the Cold Hearts (2023–24), Calderon averaged 6.5 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.7 assists over 22 games, as the team fell in the OTE semifinals. He took a noticeable step forward the following year, posting 10.1 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game across 20 contests, though the Cold Hearts again came up short in the semifinals.
The forward now arrives in Lawrence as a raw but high-upside prospect with plenty of potential. He may only be a freshman, but unlike most players in the class of 2025, he’ll already turn 21 just three weeks into the season. His experience and maturity could serve Bill Self and the Jayhawks well when starting forward Tre White needs a breather.
Calderon possesses an NBA-ready frame with elite size, highlighted by a 7-foot-2 wingspan. His athleticism is exceptional, and he already exhibits the physical traits of a pro. His speed, flow, and versatility, combined with a relentless motor, allow him to defend multiple positions at a high level. He plays with an aggressive mindset and thrives in up-tempo games, a style that should fit Kansas perfectly.
He isn’t much of a shot creator or ball handler, and his shooting percentages have never been outstanding, but he displays a pure shooting form with a high release. With the right coaching, which he will have at Kansas, he could develop into exactly the type of player this team needs.
Prior to Late Night in the Phog, Bill Self was asked about the freshman from Brazil’s progress since arriving in Lawrence. Self said, “Samis is a great prospect, but right now, he’s probably a better prospect than he is a player… the drill work and everything has to be translated to the game, and he just needs to play. So he just needs reps, and that will determine what his role will be.”
Though he has played basketball all over the world, he doesn’t have as much recent experience as some of his teammates.
During late summer, ESPN college basketball analyst Fran Fraschilla observed a few days of KU’s practice. Afterward, he took to social media to share his thoughts on the new Jayhawk team. In his analysis, he stated, “The freshman class is outstanding… Tiller will be terrific, but Calderon is a steal.”
Though Calderon’s role on the team is still uncertain, he has clearly drawn the attention of numerous analysts, coaches, and scouts. It may take some time, but if he can put it all together, he has the potential to be a stud.
Could Samis Calderon be the missing piece for Kansas this season?
Make sure to bookmark Through the Phog and follow us on X and Facebook with the username @Throughthephog