It’s been a constant road of disappointment in March for KU’s basketball programs since winning the national title in 2022. For head coach Bill Self, this past season tested his patience more than ever. Specifically, the Jayhawks finished with an overall record of 24-11 and a sweet 16 drought each of the past four years. That was coming off an even worse record of 21-13 and a first-round exit in the NCAA tournament. Over the past three years, Self’s teams have won under 60% of their Big 12 conference games. It is a stark difference from what it used to be, which was at around 85%. With their constant disappointments, big changes will be coming to the Kansas Jayhawks’ roster for the 2027 season.
There is no doubt that the impact of NIL and the growth of the transfer portal have greatly influenced every institution in every sport. But if the Jayhawks can’t find a way to navigate through these murky waters, the boat might sink, and Self could find himself heading for an early retirement. Last year’s roster has basically been ravaged, with seniors Melvin Council Jr. and Tre White finishing their college careers. Star freshman Darryn Peterson, despite a very unusual season with cramping issues, expects to be a top-three pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. And other major contributors have transferred to play at different schools.
Where The 2027 Kansas Jayhawks Roster Stands So Far
Notable Transfers
- Center Flory Bidunga to Louisville
- Forward Bryson Tiller to Missouri
- Guard Elmarko Jackson to Georgetown
- Guard Jamari McDowell to Wake Forest
Jackson and McDowell’s departures will have an impact on the Kansas bench productivity. However, it was clearly time for both sides to part and start fresh. Bidunga entered the portal last year in an attempt to leverage KU to pay him more money. He quickly returned after the check was written. This time around, it seemed he was serious and wound up getting a massive payday to go play at Louisville. Tiller’s departure came as a complete surprise. The six-foot-ten, then, freshman worked his way into the starting lineup early in the season and showed flashes of his five-star talent.
Another development was the seven-foot French big man, Paul Mbiya, entering the transfer portal. Mbiya saw increased action late in the season and played relatively well in limited minutes. He hasn’t yet committed to another school and is still welcome back to Kansas on a new NIL deal, which is what I expect more than anything.
One young player, Self, did manage to keep defensive guard Kohl Rosario, who was part of the starting five to begin the 2025 season. Rosario was quickly relegated to a bench spot, averaging just six minutes a game in conference play. He should find himself in a much increased role where he can defend some of the better guards on opposing teams. Hopefully, Rosario will also break out of his freshman-year shooting slump.
Jayhawks Add Two Players In The Transfer Portal
A committed transfer just days ago, the six-foot-eight senior forward from the Utah Utes, Keanu Dawes, brings a unique skillset to Kansas. After beginning his career at Rice, Dawes transferred to Utah for two years. He played over 30 minutes per contest this past season. Dawes nearly averaged a double-double at 12.5 points and 8.8 rebounds a game. He shot 68.2% from two-point range and is a respectable threat on the outside, shooting over 31% from three. Dawes should bring size on the wing, versatility, and a two-way mindset to a team that really needs some veteran leadership.
Another get for the program was the six-foot-one sophomore guard from Toledo, Leroy Blyden Jr. Possessing a true scorer-first mentality, Blyden accounted for over 16 points, 4.5 assists, and nearly two steals per contest as well. Obviously, Blyden is undersized but makes up for it with tenacity and a sweet three-point shot of over 40%. It’s likely that Blyden will be one of the first options off the bench. However, if he can prove to continue to be an elite shooter against bigger and better Big 12 defenses, it will give Kansas a sharpshooting aspect they’ve been missing for years.
Kansas Set To Welcome Another Impressive Freshman Class
After last year’s recruiting class that saw Self land the number one overall prospect in Peterson, along with the four-star Tiller, this crop of freshmen may prove to be even better. Here’s who Kansas has landed so far:
- Six-foot-two guard Taylen Kinney – #17 prospect nationally
- Six-foot-eight forward Davion Adkins – #55 prospect nationally
- Six-foot-four forward Trent Perry – #99 prospect nationally
- Six-foot-three guard Luke Barnett – #121 prospect nationally
It’s an impressive bunch that brings backcourt depth, shooting, and defensive intensity. Kinney expects to have the biggest impact out of the four as Self’s starting point guard. Adkins pairs really nicely with a guy like Dawes. Together, they should give KU some more size on the perimeter. Additionally, they both can still shoot, take it off the dribble, and switch defensively.
The “White-Whale,” however, who is still to make up his mind, is the number one overall prospect, Tyran Stokes. The six-foot-seven Stokes comes out of Louisville, KY, and is currently deciding between Kentucky and Kansas. In recent weeks, it seems like Stokes has been leaning toward KU as he has a very close friendship with Kinney, as the two played together in middle school and in AAU. Stokes also attended a number of games in Allen Fieldhouse during last season and seems to have formed a good bond with coach Self already.
Clearly, in a situation like this, money talks more than anything, and Stokes’ NIL deal will be huge. Both schools are elite blue blood programs, and while Stokes is just a hop and a skip away from Kentucky’s facility, the expectation is that the incoming freshman will make a decision very soon. Nevertheless, the 2027 roster for the Kansas Jayhawks will have plenty of talented freshmen, with or without Stokes.
Featured Image: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
