The Kansas basketball season didn't end as hoped when St. John's beat the Jayhawks with a layup at the buzzer, preventing KU from a long-overdue return to the Sweet Sixteen.
Almost all the Jayhawks struggled in that last game, but there were some fine performances from several players throughout the season. Transfers Melvin Council Jr. and Tre White left positive, lasting impressions on the program and with fans. Their blue-collar work ethic and tremendous attitudes made them immediate fan favorites.
Flory Bidunga, Elmarko Jackson, and Jamari McDowell all made great improvements in their games. It would be terrific if all three returned to KU next season. Bryson Tiller, Kohl Rosario, Paul Mbiya, and Samis Calderon all showed upside and could be foundational players for the program in the future if they stay.
Of course, this season will always be remembered as Darryn Peterson's season at Kansas. Various injuries marred his season and prevented him from showing off the full spectrum of his talents and explosiveness. This season can be considered a big "what if" year for the Jayhawks. If Peterson had been healthy all year, this season would have been way different.
Final Kansas basketball statistical leaders for the 2025-26 season
All statistics are based on averages.Â
Points
- Darryn Peterson - 20.2 points per game
- Tre White - 13.5
- Flory Bidunga - 13.3
Rebounds
- Flory Bidunga - 9.0 rebounds per game
- Tre White - 6.7
- Bryson Tiller - 6.1
Field Goal Percentage
- Flory Bidunga - 64.0 percent
- Tre White - 45.0 percent
- Bryson Tiller - 44.9 percent
Three-point Field Goal Percentage
- Tre White - 40.3 percent
- Darryn Peterson - 38.2 percent
- Elmarko Jackson - 37.2 percent
Free Throw Percentage
- Tre White - 87.2 percent
- Darryn Peterson - 82.6 percent
- Elmarko Jackson - 82.5 percent
Assists
- Melvin Council Jr. - 5.1 assists per game
- Tre White - 1.8
- Darryn Peterson - 1.6
Steals
- Darryn Peterson - 1.4 steals per game
- Flory Bidunga - 0.7
- Elmarko Jackson - .07
Blocks
- Flory Bidunga - 2.6 blocks per game
- Bryson Tiller - 1.3
- Darryn Peterson - 0.6
Turnovers
- Melvin Council Jr. - 1.9 turnovers per game
- Tre White - 1.8
- Bryson Tiller - 1.8
FoulsÂ
- Flory Bidunga - 2.4 fouls per game
- Tre White - 1.9
- Bryson Tiller - 1.9
Peterson's 20.2 points per game are impressive, especially considering he was never at 100 percent throughout the season. Bidunga led the Big 12 in two categories—field-goal percentage and blocked shots. It is also impressive how Tre White finished in the top two in almost all the categories.
The season didn't end as hoped, but this Kansas basketball team did win 24 games and finish third in the Big 12. There are many programs that would have been thrilled with this as a "down" year.
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