Just because the attention is focused on the Kansas football team being set to take on the LIU Sharks on the gridiron in mere hours doesn’t mean that the upcoming basketball campaign has taken a complete backseat. After all, Kansas’ Late Night In The Phog is only 41 days away.
The Jayhawks have compiled a roster built around getting the best out of the nation’s No. 1 recruit in 2026, Tyran Stokes, and while Stokes has all the talent in the world, the public still has their questions around the star power of a team with just one player who has proven Big 12 experience.
That may usually sign that the Jayhawks need to work their way through the modern-day hoops of bringing another player onto their roster, but things on that end have appeared to stall.
ESPN is thinking out loud with latest question over KU
Earlier this month, Jeff Borzello of ESPN released his way-too-early NCAA top 25, where Kansas was ranked No. 25, and asked a vital question
“Is Kansas done adding to its roster?” opened Borzello.
“When 2027 recruit Javon Bardwell reclassified into 2026 but decommitted from Kansas in August, it wouldn't have been a surprise to see Bill Self move to add further reinforcements -- or bring some back, in this case. Melvin Council Jr. is pursuing another year of eligibility; he voluntarily chose to dismiss his case in Kansas on Monday but plans to refile in New York. There have also been links to another starter from last season, Tre White, though he has yet to pursue an injunction to get a fifth season to play.”
This all started in mid-July with center Mihailo Mušikić, who, pending a waiver, would immediately throw himself into the battle for Kansas’ starting center spot. However, since that time, there has been little to no update on Mušikić’s eligibility thanks to the age-based eligibility model, which changed guidelines on how many years an overseas player has to be eligible.
As Borzello mentioned, guard Melvin Council Jr. was also trying to make his way back to the team, after pursuing another year of eligibility. However, in late August, Council submitted a notice of dismissal at Douglas County Court. Council is pursuing extra eligibility after criminal charges, which have since been dismissed, forced him to spend two years playing at the junior college level. Something Council doesn’t believe should count against his eligibility.
Next is forward Tre White. White was once ruled eligible for another season of eligibility but has since had his eligibility revoked in the 10th circuit, and like Borzello said, there has been no update on White attempting to find another year.
Can KU survive with this roster?
You can find positives all across the court for this KU team, which is reeling in four new transfers. Overall, the Jayhawks enlisted what is considered the nation’s 32nd-best transfer class. And while the sky is the limit for players like five-star guard Taylen Kinney and Stokes, fans wouldn’t be wrong to be skeptical, considering what happened with Darryn Peterson last season in a team that looked rearing to make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament.
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