After losing nearly his entire roster this season, either to eligibility, the NBA, or the transfer portal, Kansas head coach Bill Self is working to rebuild it for another year in Lawrence. While Self has four freshmen so far coming in from the Class of 2026, experienced talent is needed in Kansas to continue to be a contender.
There are a few players Self has spoken to in the portal, but there is one player who is familiar to the Jayhawks. Cal guard Dai Dai Ames has entered the transfer portal for the third time in his college career, making his next school his fourth in four years. Ames began his college career at Kansas State and was even on a Wildcats team that took down Kansas.
Dai Dai Ames sets up transfer portal visit to Kansas
Ames is now looking for his final school, and Kansas could be his final stop. Per his agent, Adam Papas, Ames has four visits set up in the coming days, his final one being with Self in Lawrence.
Cal transfer Dai Dai Ames has set the following visits, per his agent Adam Papas.
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) April 10, 2026
Tennessee (today)
Xavier (Saturday)
Ole Miss (Sunday)
Kansas (Monday)
The 6-2 Ames averaged 16.9 PPG last season.
Kansas needs an experienced scorer to build off of next season, and Ames could be just that after averaging 16.9 points per game this season with the Golden Bears. Ames also started playing in the most games he has in his college career this season, at 34 games.
If Self could land Ames out of the portal, it would potentially be the first commitment for the Jayhawks this offseason. It would also be nice to have a little rivalry twist, bringing in a former Kansas State player.
Ames could have been a centerpiece for K-State, but instead, he is now looking at the better Kansas school, especially when it comes to basketball. Self needs to start getting some commitments, though, out of the portal, or else Kansas is going to have a very small roster next season.