Just when all the attention seemed to be pointed firmly towards the direction of the upcoming football season, the Kansas Jayhawks recently found out that class of 2027 five-star small forward Javon Bardwell has decommitted from the university, while also reclassifying to the class of 2026.
NEWS: 2027 Top-20 overall recruit Javon Bardwell has decommitted from Kansas and is reclassifying into the 2026 class, he told @Rivals.
— Joe Tipton (@JoeTipton) August 12, 2026
The 6-6 small forward had been committed to the Jayhawks since last October. https://t.co/tGlI9BuR7s pic.twitter.com/l9Z8o2mGtE
According to the 247Sports composite, Bardwell was the nation’s No. 21 player, 7th-best small forward and second-best player from the state of Georgia in the class of 2027.
247Sports ranked Bardwell as Kansas’ 19th-highest all-time recruit, just behind current freshman Taylen Kinney and ahead of Bryce Thompson.
Bardwell’s recruitment timing opened up limitless possibilities
Bardwell committed to the Jayhawks last October with two seasons left of OTE basketball to play. While committing to a program so far out isn’t the strangest thing, it is worth noting that of the top 25 players in the class of 2027, only four of them have officially named their home.
A couple of months ago, Bardwell was potentially tipped to reclassify and join KU this summer.
"First and foremost, I want to thank God for the ability to play the game I love,” opened Bardwell in an Instagram post moments ago.
“After the feedback I have received from my performance at Eurocamp in Treviso, Italy, I have made the decision to reclassify to the class of 2026. I am on track academically, and I feel ready physically and mentally.”
“With that being said, after a lot of prayer and deep conversations with my family, I have also decided to reopen my recruitment.”
This decision now leaves zero players in Kansas’ 2027 class.
“This decision is not a reflection of the coaches at the University of Kansas. To Coach Bill Self, Coach Tony Bland, and Coach Jeremy Case, I want to thank you for the relationship you built with my family and me from day one. My recruitment is now open as a member of the 2026 class."
Javon Bardwell has de-committed from #kubball pic.twitter.com/nfRp01mNWt
— Jordan Guskey (@JordanGuskey) August 12, 2026
Bardwell would have joined a team stacked with young talent; Bardwell’s 6-foot-6 stature would have crammed him into a backcourt filled with Leroy Blyden Jr, Tyran Stokes, Kinney, and others.
While missing out on Bardwell is not what any fan wants to hear, there is still plenty of time to get the class of 2027 ironed out, as KU is also looking to possibly add another player before Fordham enters Allen Fieldhouse on November 2.
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