Mid-major transfer includes Kansas Jayhawks basketball in final eight list of schools

The Kansas basketball team recently landed its first transfer portal commitment of the offseason in Riley Kugel. Bill Self and the Jayhawks are prioritizing guards this year with the impending departures of Kevin McCullar, Nick Timberlake, and potentially others, depending on how they plan to move forward.

There are several high-level scorers in the portal whom KU is interested in as the search for a new starting two-guard begins. One name that has popped up in recent days is that of Dante Maddox Jr., a graduate transfer from Toledo. According to 24/7 High School Hoops, the Jayhawks are one of eight schools to make his final list.

Dante Maddox Jr. could be a fallback option if Kansas can't land its top guard targets

There are many things that Maddox does well on the court, specifically his playmaking and 3-point shooting. He averaged 15.6 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.8 rebounds, and 1.4 steals on 43.8% field goal shooting in 2023-24. He also added 2.3 3-point makes per game on 40.2% shooting.

He earned All-MAC Second Team honors after his successful senior season. After spending two years at Cal State Fullerton, Maddox budded into an exceptional player with the Rockets, leading his team in scoring and threes made. If he were to commit to KU, he would be one of the top perimeter options on the squad.

At 6-foot-2, 195 pounds, the Toledo transfer is slightly undersized in the height department but makes up for it with a bulky frame that allows him to score at the rim efficiently. He takes and makes plenty of outside shots off the catch and hits them at a high clip, finishing with an effective field goal percentage of 61% on catch-and-shoot jumpers.

Maddox is not the flashiest name in the portal, but he is a very good depth option for Kansas if he is willing to take on a relegated role offensively. He would likely be a contingency plan for the staff if coveted combo guards Zeke Mayo and Colby Rogers commit elsewhere. Jayhawk fans should keep an eye on Maddox, who could be on visit watch.