While Wednesday saw a brief reprieve as none of the remaining few Kansas basketball players hit the portal, just minutes ago, freshman forward Samis Calderon announced his intention to leave the Jayhawks, kickstarting another exit from the program.
Sources confirm Samis Calderon to the portal.
— Gary Bedore (@GaryBedore) April 9, 2026
Calderon experienced a limited freshman season
The freshman forward played a bit-part role in his sole season with KU, having not logged more than 14 minutes throughout the 16 games he played.
The former OTE player finished the season with six points, two steals, four blocks, four assists, and 12 rebounds.
Although Calderon likely finishes his career without making a real mark, his 7-foot-2 wingspan and tons of eligibility will make him a valuable asset to many schools.
Here is an excerpt from 247Sports’ Adam Finkelstein on Calderon.
“Calderon is a high-level athlete with exceptional length, huge hands, and a frame that is both strong and defined…His physical tools are just as impressive within the flow of the game as he has easy bounce, covers the court, and has all the tools necessary to thrive on the defensive end of the floor.”
A continued problem for Kansas
Calderon’s exit means guards Corbin Allen and Kohl Rosario are the only two scholarship players currently remaining on the Kansas roster. The Jayhawks have the likes of a loaded 2026 class incoming, whether with or without the No. 1 player in the nation, Tyran Stokes.
247Sports currently ranks Kansas as having the nation’s sixth-best class, with five-star guard Taylen Kinney set to play with center Davion Adkins (four-star), small forward Trent Perry (four-star), and shooting guard Luke Barnett (four-star).
An exciting but extremely young corps of players.
Kansas will also be hosting UNC Asheville transfer guard Kameron Taylor, an exciting rising star, but even he just completed his sophomore season, which still leaves the experience factor missing ahead of Bill Self’s 24th season as head coach.
Taylor will likely bring high scoring numbers, but has also demonstrated immaturity on the ball as he finished last season with 97 assists to 82 turnovers.
While there is still plenty of time for Self to get the right team together, it is going to require elite portal prowess, something that maybe Self and his staff have lacked to make a consistent mark with.
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