The Kansas basketball program made its most significant move of the offseason yesterday, landing Wisconsin transfer portal guard AJ Storr. While the Jayhawks have an excellent roster as it is, head coach Bill Self is still set on adding another wing to bolster the guard room.
KU has been directly tied to Rylan Griffen ever since he entered the portal earlier this month. He was recruited by Self out of high school, and Kansas was one of the first schools to contact him when he hit the open market. Things have been heating up between the two parties, and respected college basketball analyst Jamie Shaw placed a crystal ball pick for Griffen to commit to the Jayhawks.
NEW: On3's @JamieShaw5 has logged an expert prediction for Kansas to land Alabama SG transfer Rylan Griffen👀
— On3 (@On3sports) April 16, 2024
Intel: https://t.co/iNsUCM3kNi pic.twitter.com/OfTR7uaKFU
Kansas picks up crystal ball for Alabama transfer Rylan Griffen
Many sources close to the situation have expressed that Kansas is the favorite to land Griffen, but this is from one of the most reputable portal analysts. Shaw placed the crystal ball with a confidence level of 60%, but he wouldn't have done so if he didn't think there were serious talks between Griffen and KU.
A 6-foot-5 wing from Dallas, Texas, Griffen was a key contributor to the Crimson Tide team that made the Final Four this season. He averaged 11.2 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.9 assists in 36 games (33 starts), shooting 45.4% from the field and 39.2% from 3-point range on 5.3 attempts.
Shortly after Kansas contacted him, it was reported that the coaching staff had an in-home visit with Griffen over the weekend. He also might have taken a visit to campus during this timeframe, but that news has not yet been confirmed.
Griffen would presumably replace Johnny Furphy, who entered the NBA Draft and is unlikely to return to school. He is a 3-and-D guard who shoots the ball extremely well. With two years remaining of eligibility, Griffen could be a long-term player for the Jayhawks if he commits.
Nothing is set in stone, but it appears that Coach Self is not done in the transfer portal just yet. For Griffen or any other transfer to join the Jayhawks, Furphy would have to leave or someone would have to transfer out because KU is utilizing all 13 scholarships right now.