On April 7, the college basketball transfer portal officially opens, giving programs the opportunity to reshape their rosters for next season. With Bill Self set to return to Lawrence for his 24th year at the helm, expect him to be active in the portal as he looks to build a roster capable of chasing a third national title.
KU’s 2026–27 roster is full of question marks, and we don’t yet know who will return to don the crimson and blue next season. Regardless, a few players lurking in the transfer portal could be perfect additions to next year’s Jayhawk squad.
So, who should Bill Self and co. prioritize in the transfer portal this offseason? Here’s one guard, one wing, and one big man who would be a perfect fit for Kansas.
Isiah Harwell (Houston) – 6'6 CG
After an unideal freshman season with the Cougars, the former five-star, top-15 recruit from the class of 2025 entered the transfer portal, hoping a change of scenery will help him reach the next level. Though he only averaged 3.6 points and 2.0 rebounds while shooting just 27.9% from the field, the young combo guard from Pocatello, Idaho, still boasts significant NBA potential.
His size, length, and shooting ability are exactly why he was projected to be Kelvin Sampson’s lead guard last season over Kingston Flemings, a projected lottery pick in the upcoming NBA Draft. If the Jayhawks pursue Harwell, he could start in the backcourt next year, depending on roster construction and summer development. Even coming off the bench, Harwell would make an ideal backup to incoming five-star point guard Taylen Kinney.
Stefan Vaaks (Providence) – 6'7 SG
After a phenomenal freshman season that flew under the national radar, Vaaks recently entered the transfer portal. With Providence undergoing a coaching change, the Estonian wing is searching for a new home—one that can elevate him to the next level. As one of the top shooters in the entire portal, he’s an ideal candidate for Bill Self and the Jayhawks, who have struggled to recruit high-level shooters in recent seasons.
Last year, the rising star averaged 15.8 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 3.2 assists, knocking down 96 three-pointers at a 35.0% clip. With his size, fluidity, basketball IQ, and versatile offensive skill set, Vaaks is one of the most promising young players in the portal and is sure to become a hot commodity. His play style has even drawn comparisons to a young Luka Doncic—an uncommon compliment. With his ball-handling skills and ability to serve as a secondary playmaker on top of his primary scoring, Vaaks would be a dream addition for Kansas in the portal.
Somto Cyril (Georgia) – 6'11 C
Heading into his junior season, the big man from Nigeria is officially on the market. The former OTE standout was heavily linked to Kansas during his high school career, but the Jayhawks ultimately signed Flory Bidunga instead. Now that Bidunga has entered the portal, Cyril immediately becomes one of the top big-man options for Bill Self if he can’t convince Bidunga to return. The center, who spent the past two seasons under Mike White at Georgia, emerged as a force during his sophomore campaign. One of the premier big men in the SEC, Cyril averaged 9.3 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks per game, while shooting an impressive 75.9% from the field. Though he isn’t yet widely known in the broader college basketball landscape, Cyril has all the tools to become a dominant force next season—especially if under the guidance of Bill Self.
The transfer portal is about to explode as the college basketball season comes to a close this weekend. With more top talent expected to enter in the coming days, Bill Self and the Jayhawks will have plenty of options to reshape next season’s roster. Keep an eye on these three names—one of them could be suiting up in crimson and blue next year.
Tuesday marks the day the transfer portal officially opens for business—who will the Jayhawks chase?
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