The Kansas Jayhawks were forced to rebuild their roster from last season in sweeping changes that forced head coach Bill Self and his staff to take a deep dive into the NCAA Transfer Portal. While the portal is not a foreign concept to the Jayhawks, the results have, at best, been defined as “mixed,” as is a problem that several coaches across the nation have faced.
According to 247Sports, the Jayhawks are dealing with the country’s No. 29 transfer portal class as the Jayhawks are set to reel in Dennis Parker Jr. a four-star guard/small forward from Radford; Christian Reeves, a four-star center from the College of Charleston; Leroy Blyden, a four-star guard from Toledo; and Keanu Dawes, a four-star power forward from Utah.
All four of these players have their bright spots; Parker is famously known for his 53-point outing against Coppin State last season. Reeves seems to be someone Self was willing to take a chance on despite his lingering shoulder issues. Blyden just finished his freshman season, where he established himself as one of the nation’s best young players, and Dawes offers a wealth of experience with two seasons spent in the Big 12.
However, ESPN has the fear that Kansas did not pick up the veterans necessary in their latest piece, “Men’s transfer portal superlatives” piece.
Kansas is too reliant on young duo
Last season saw the Jayhawks enlist Darryn Peterson, the class of 2025’s No. 1 recruit and around Peterson was transfer guard Melvin Council Jr. transfer guard Tre White, freshman power forward Bryson Tiller and star center Flory Bidunga.
Obviously, Peterson’s cramping crisis played a part in the lack of continuity KU developed when Peterson was on the court, but things never looked like they truly meshed and ended up relying too much on their defense which resulted in blowout losses on the occasions where the Jayhawks couldn’t keep opposition quiet.
Next season, the Jayhawks will be bringing in the nation’s No. 1 player again in Tyran Stokes, along with fellow five-star, guard Taylen Kinney. Around those two are likely three transfers, easily creating a similar picture to last season.
“Last season in Lawrence showed the challenges of leaning on bright young stars in a game increasingly full of veterans: Even the best prospects need time to find their footing,” quotes Myron Medcalf.
“After losing Bidunga, Tiller and Council, coach Bill Self will turn to Stokes and another five-star prospect, Taylen Kinney, in a strong Big 12...But Self didn't add the caliber of veterans who can replace the experience his team lost, shifting more of the burden onto the shoulders of his talented young duo.”
While Medcalf is 100% correct that Kansas is setting up to support around Stokes and Kinney, rather than compete against them, the depth in which Kansas has added far surpasses last year.
Early projections show Parker as a possible sixth man, either Reeves or returning center Paul Mbiya will be coming off the bench, and Kohl Rosario will be striving for an increased role. Combine that with a freshman class that, beyond the pair, includes four-stars Trent Perry, Davion Adkins and Luke Barnett and you have well passed the rotation of Rosario, Jamari McDowell and Elmarko Jackson that Kansas had last year.
More Kansas Basketball News
Add us as a preferred source on Google