The Kansas basketball program has already added two guards from the transfer portal this offseason, landing former Florida Gator Riley Kugel and hometown hero Zeke Mayo from South Dakota State. However, the Jayhawks are still zeroing in on wings in the portal after losing Kevin McCullar to graduation and potentially Johnny Furphy to the NBA Draft.
Although KU has been linked to a handful of transfers throughout the past few weeks, this player should be someone to watch closely. Alabama transfer Rylan Griffen entered the transfer portal this week, and he could be the next addition to the Jayhawks. According to CBB Content on Twitter, Kansas was one of the first schools to reach out to the 6-foot-5 wing.
NEWS: Kansas is one of the first schools to reach out to Alabama transfer Rylan Griffen, per source.
— CBB Content (@CBBcontent) April 12, 2024
Averaged 11.2 and started for 33 games for the Crimson Tide as a sophomore. pic.twitter.com/yCQ49OrfOo
Kansas among one of the first schools to contact Alabama transfer
Griffen and the Jayhawks have history, as he took an official visit to Lawrence one month before announcing his commitment to Alabama in 2021. Kansas fans knew he would be a player to monitor the second he went portaling, and the report from social media confirmed that notion.
The Dallas, Texas native was a key player in Alabama's Final Four run this season. Griffen took a massive leap from his freshman year, cementing himself as a mainstay in Nate Oats' rotation. He averaged 11.2 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.9 assists on 45.4%/39.2%/81.0% with the Crimson Tide, starting 33 of 36 games.
Griffen is a terrific shooter from beyond the arc who excels in the catch-and-shoot game. He displayed his 3-point prowess in the NCAA Tournament when he sank 5-of-8 attempts in the Sweet 16 to help lead Alabama over UNC. Griffen has NBA upside and would continue to improve under Coach Self, who has developed a number of professional wings in recent years.
Given the possible departure of Furphy, Griffen would be an excellent replacement on the wing. He would provide the Jayhawks with a two-way presence who has a smooth jump shot. If he were to commit to Kansas, he would almost certainly take over starting duties.
There is a strong chance we see these rumors continue to heat up over time. Griffen is someone Jayhawk fans should become familiar with.