Kansas basketball: 3 X-factor players who can help lead the Jayhawks to a championship

2. Elmarko Jackson

The 5-star freshman guard hasn't had the best start to his first year in Lawrence, but things are starting to come into place for Jackson. He shot 5-of-10 in the final nonconference game against Wichita State, posting 12 points and connecting on a pair of 3-pointers. It was the first time all year that he looked comfortable with the team.

Bill Self will continue to give Jackson a long leash because his alternatives haven't given him a reason to change the starting lineup. His role has been considerably different than his high school days now that he's playing alongside two midseason All-Americans, but he has shown playmaking prowess and tremendous athleticism.

He feeds off the success of others and makes his teammates better alike. While he is better with the ball in his hands, his off-ball presence has also improved over the past few contests. Jackson's potential is off the charts, and he could be a 2022 Remy Martin-esque spark plug for Kansas in March.