Kansas Jayhawks basketball transfer portal commits to different Big 12 school
Bill Self and Kansas basketball still have one available scholarship if the program plans to fill 13 for the upcoming season. Labaron Philon decommitting from the program opened an opportunity for the coaching staff to pursue a more experienced player in the transfer portal, and Johnny Furphy is almost certainly keeping his name in the NBA Draft.
One player the Jayhawks had been closely linked to was Javon Small, a combo guard who averaged 15.1 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 4.1 assists at Oklahoma State. The incoming senior was reportedly atop the list of portal targets for KU, but he decided to commit elsewhere. Small will compete in the Big 12 with the West Virginia Mountaineers to finish off his NCAA career.
NEWS: Oklahoma State transfer Javon Small has committed to West Virginia, sources told ESPN. Averaged 15.1 points, 4.7 rebounds and 4.1 assists last season, shooting a career-high 37.4% from 3-point range. Earned honorable mention All-Big 12 honors.
— Jeff Borzello (@jeffborzello) May 2, 2024
Kansas basketball transfer portal targets commits to West Virginia
The same day that sharpshooting Dayton transfer Koby Brea committed to Kentucky, a fellow player KU once pursued is heading off to a school in the conference. Kansas must cross off two top priorities on the list as portal talent continues to grow slimmer. The Jayhawks are also waiting for former Florida guard Riley Kugel to sign.
Small played at East Carolina for two years before switching to Oklahoma State for his junior year. Although he was on a mediocre team, his statistics are nothing to sneeze at considering he played in the best basketball conference in the country. His efficiency and decision-making have continued to improve over the years.
Selling a role off the bench to Small would have been difficult for Kansas. He is rated the top point guard in the transfer portal on most outlets and he would start at the majority of programs in the country. Given Coach Self's trust in super-senior Dajuan Harris, Small would have found himself on the second unit in Lawrence.
Missing out on Small should not be much of an issue for Kansas basketball, a team expected to enter the next campaign as title favorites. However, Self might consider the possibility of going into the year short one player if the program cannot reel in someone worth a scholarship. KU must forfeit one scholarship over the next two seasons due to self-imposed penalties for NCAA violations.
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