The Kansas Jayhawks have historically been great recruiters out of high school. While the NCAA Transfer Portal has been a bit of a mixed bag over the years, more often than not, the Jayhawks find a way to ink commitments from some of the nation’s top players. While it is still fresh on everyone’s mind, it is worth pointing out that KU has reeled in the nation’s No. 1 player in back-to-back seasons out of high school in Darryn Peterson (2025) and Tyran Stokes (2026).Â
Today’s task is to rank Kansas’ three best surprising recruiting wins; these are options that have come from both the portal and the freshman ranks. The timeline of this spans from 2020 until the 2025 class, leaving out the 2026 class for this edition.
No. 3: Melvin Council Jr
The two names above Council achieved far more statistically than Council, and so have a lot of names who weren’t included.Â
The former Monroe College, Wagner and St. Bonaventure guard averaged 12.7 points on a 39.2% field goal rate, 5.1 assists and 5 rebounds. Once again, not numbers that are going to push him into the annals of KU royalty.Â
But while Council was only with KU for one season, he leaves the program a hero. There are very few players who make themselves a name to remember at a place like Kansas; there are even fewer who can do it in one season, but Council did an incredible job of leaving his mark at a place where he will always be remembered fondly.
What made Council so well-liked was that even through a season of controversy, highs and lows, and everything in between, Council always brought the same energy and he always seemed to realize the weight a jersey like KU could hold and he respected it every game.Â
No. 2 Remy MartinÂ
Martin’s impact off the bench against UNC in the 2022 NCAA Championship game has thrown him into the folklore of Kansas basketball. In a game where both starting fives were cancelling each other out and it came down to whichever bench player could step up, Martin’s 15 points on 55.6% from the field to outduel North Carolina’s Puff Johnson’s 11 points played a pivotal part in the Jayhawks’ lifting Bill Self’s second national title.Â
Martin’s clutch season-high of 4 three-pointers off of just 6 attempts is a great way to encapsulate his elite performance
No. 1 KJ Adams
Adams’ development and want to stay as a Jayhawk speak volumes as to why he is on this list. Adams finishes his career with Kansas totaling 1,136 points and 496 rebounds over his 138-game career.Â
Adams twice finished as a Big 12 Honorable Mention in both 2023 and 2024, while also ending the 2022-23 season as the conference’s Most Improved Player. Adams averaged 14.1 points, 3.2 assists and 6.1 rebounds throughout his time at KU, making him a consistent presence that is now looking for his chance at the next level.
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