Kansas head coach Bill Self has been able to snag some gems out of the transfer portal, some that programs might have overlooked. While fans may wonder why Kansas wasn't able to bring in the big names from the portal, sometimes it is the hidden gems that can make the most impact.
Self has always been great at finding talent at the mid-major level and bringing it to the forefront of the power conferences. That was seen this past season with Melvin Council Jr., and now Self has the chance to do it with several new transfers, especially Dennis Parker Jr.
Parker comes to Kansas from Radford, but also spent two seasons at the power conference level at NC State. Parker really didn't see the court much with the Wolfpack, but was able to explode on the court with Radford, even scoring 53 points in a game at one point.
Self made it pretty clear that he wanted Parker on the roster, especially when hearing the story of how the two parties started contact.
Dennis Parker Jr.'s crazy Bill Self story will give Kansas fans a good chuckle
A little past midnight, Dennis Parker Jr. received a call.
— Shreyas Laddha (@shre98) May 13, 2026
The number wasn't saved, but under the number, it read, maybe, "Bill Self."
Parker was hesitant, but picked up the phone. That phone call changed his life. #kubball https://t.co/TuLWbSI3Dg
Parker was just sitting in his room one night, and it was nearly midnight when his phone began to ring, but it was an unknown number. Even thought he number was unknown, underneath, the name read 'Bill Self' and Parker could believe, and nearly didn't pick up, but luckily trusted his gut.
"Man, it was crazy, you know how when somebody calls you, it says the number and under it says the name? So, I didn’t know,” Parker told The Kansas City Star. “I was like, ‘What, Bill Self calling?’ I had to make sure it was him. I kind of hesitated. I ended up picking it up, and it was him."
What that story sounds like is that if Parker almost didn't pick up the phone, not believe it was Bill Self calling. Imagine what would have happened. To be fair, it was midnight, and who would have thought that Self would be calling so late?
Parker was in Florida, so it wasn't quite as late for Self in Kansas, which is an hour behind the Sunshine State, but still, an interesting time for Self to make the call. The rest is history, as Parker is now a Jayhawk and will be bringing his electric scoring ability to Lawrence next season.
The elite Radford transfer averaged a stellar 18.3 points per game, 5.9 rebounds, and 1.3 assists last season. While the competition for Radford is not at the level of the competition in the Big 12, Parker still knows what it is like to play at the power conference level with his time at NC State.
Self has built a solid roster since the mass exodus to the portal and the NBA, with the centerpiece being incoming freshman and five-star recruit Tyran Stokes.
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