Most college programs are beginning to cling to their best players in hopes that they will not test the portal waters and leave their current outfit.
Meanwhile, for the Kansas Jayhawks, it is becoming more and more of a trivia game to figure out who is currently on the roster that will be there next season.
Jamari McDowell is the latest set to leave Bill Self and the Jayhawks
Minutes ago, the redshirt sophomore guard announced his intention to hit the transfer portal.
NEWS: Kansas sophomore Jamari McDowell plans to enter the transfer portal, he told @LeagueRDY.
— Sam Kayser (@KayserHoops) April 7, 2026
The 6-foot-5 guard out of Houston, Texas has spent the last three seasons at Kansas, redshirting one. Former four-star recruit.
He averaged 3.3PPG, 1.6RPG and 1.1APG this season. pic.twitter.com/rcobbCR24S
McDowell’s 2025 season largely saw him clamor for minutes off a short bench rotation which at times could be too inconsistent.
There were several highs of his season, like his monstrous performance in Kansas’ 82-78 win over No. 1 Arizona. McDowell got the start after Darryn Peterson was ruled out due to flu-like symptoms just before tipoff.
McDowell had a night to remember with a stellar 10 points, six rebounds, and a phenomenal four steals.
Yet, overall, McDowell averaged 17.2 minutes per game, his entering the portal and moving elsewhere could see him add at least 10 more minutes to that.
It is of course also worth pointing out that possibly McDowell does not truly intend to leave and is instead leveraging for something more next season.
Where does this leave Kansas’ roster?
Remember that trivia game we mentioned at the start of the article. Here are the current answers.
The Kansas scholarship roster as it stands now.
— Michael Swain (@MSwain247) April 7, 2026
KU has eight open spots right now. pic.twitter.com/vdi8XVddcl
This is a harrowing look for any high-major program with expectations to get back to the top. The Jayhawks are given a heavily underclassman team, which means now more than ever, they must rely on the same portal that has gotten them into trouble to get them out of it.
There are quick fixes that can be made, like Somto Cyril, a center out of Georgia who could fill in for the departing Bidunga, but there would still be plenty of guard work to do with Elmarko Jackson and McDowell set to leave the program.
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