Sure, ever since the emergence of NIL and the NCAA Transfer Portal, the Kansas Jayhawks have been slowly tipped off their perch. They haven’t made it past the first weekend of the NCAA Tournament since 2022, when they won the lot.
But even in “down years,” the Jayhawks have still done extremely well, reeling in high school talent, and there are several reasons for that. Whether it's the allure of Allen Fieldhouse, elite competition, relationships with staff like Kurtis Townsend and Bill Self, or several other things, Kansas is still one of the most attractive places for any elite talent out of high school to play at.
Today’s task is to rank all six five-stars who have joined the Jayhawks since the 2020 class.
Note: this list will include incoming freshmen like Taylen Kinney and Tyran Stokes and recruits’ ratings are provided by 247Sports’ non-composite rankings.
6th: Bryce Thompson, Guard, Class of 2020, No. 20 Overall Player
The 6-foot-5 Thompson came from Booker T. Washington High School, where he played just one season with the Jayhawks before moving across the conference to Oklahoma State. In his sole season at KU, Thompson averaged 4.6 points, 1.1 assists and 1.5 rebounds across 17 minutes per game and four starts.
As a Cowboy, Thompson flourished and averaged 11.8 points, 1.8 assists and 2.5 rebounds, making 113 starts over his final four seasons.
5th: Taylen Kinney, Guard, Class of 2026, No. 20 Overall Player
While Kinney has yet to even play a minute in a KU jersey, his shotmaking and play-creating ability were on full display with OTE. In the 2024-25 campaign, Kinney averaged 20.2 points, four rebounds, five assists and just over two steals. Kinney finished with an efficient 55.6% field goal rate.
Last season, Kinney bumped his assist numbers up to 6.1 but saw drops in his points (20.1 to 18.8) and his field goal rate (55.6% to 40.6%). If KU can get the best of both seasons out of the incoming freshman, then he will be a real problem.
4th: Gradey Dick, Small Forward, Class of 2022, No. 21 Overall Player
Dick started all 36 of Kansas’ games during the 2022-23 season, where he compiled 14 points, five rebounds, 1.7 assists, and roughly 1.5 steals per game. The eighth-ranked small forward in the class possessed a laser-like 40.3% three-point rate, allowing him to space the floor. The analytics favorite finished with a season-high of 26 in a Jayhawk win over Oklahoma State in February 2023.
3rd: Flory Bidunga, Center, Class of 2024, No. 14 Overall Player
Bidunga wasn’t always the team’s best offensive player; as a matter of fact, he was never really the team’s best offensive outlet. But in his sophomore year especially, Bidunga flexed defensive ability that ranked among the nation’s best. His knack of being able to guard every position, lack of foul trouble, and his elite block numbers made him such a valuable asset in what was one of the nation’s best defenses. But ultimately, Bidunga chose to pursue the Louisville Cardinals for his final two years of eligibility.
2nd: Darryn Peterson, Guard, Class of 2025, No. 1 Overall Player
You could possibly flip Peterson and Bidunga and that wouldn’t stir too much attention. Bidunga was certainly the more consistently available player last season, but Peterson’s highs were enough to take the air out of any arena he was playing in.
Peterson ended his career with the Jayhawks reeling in 20 points per game, four rebounds and 1.6 assists on a 43.8% mark from the field that included a 38.2% rate from beyond the arc.
Peterson’s health issues hampered what should have become the No. 1 player on this list.
1st: Tyran Stokes, Small Forward, Class of 2026, No. 1 Overall Player
Projecting Stokes this high is a bold option, but we don’t know if it shows the elite ability of Stokes or how many recruits here slightly disappointed in their time with KU. For now at least we will choose the former.
Stokes is a do-it-all machine. He can rebound, make plays and defend superbly well; if the biggest thing you have to improve is a slight change in your already effective shooting motion, then you are typically bound for success. According to MaxPreps, Stokes averaged 31 points, 13 rebounds and six assists going 53% from the field as he helped lead Rainier Beach High School to a 29-1 record and to a second-straight Class 3A State Title.
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