Despite Kansas Jayhawks portal prowess, Bill Self must hit on 2024.
After a disappointing 2023-2024 season, plagued with injuries, ineffectiveness, and lack of depth, Kansas Jayhawks Basketball has bounced back in a huge way so far this offseason. Coach Bill Self has replenished the talent-pool in Lawrence through the transfer portal with additions of Riley Kugel, Zeke Mayo, and AJ Storr. Additionally, Kansas has what appears to be a strong freshman recruiting class on paper. Unfortunately, the “on paper” aspect hasn’t always translated for Bill Self for much of the last four years when it comes to top freshman recruits.
Flory Bidunga (9th) – 92 rating
Labaron Philon (30th) – 89 rating
Rakease Passmore (36th) – 88 rating
Bryce Thompson, Zach Clemence, M.J. Rice, and Elmarko Jackson all underperformed their freshman years and either transferred out or are still trying to find their footing with the Jayhawks. Meanwhile, Gradey Dick and Ernest Udeh were both reliable rotation players for Kansas but spent just one season playing in Lawrence, with Dick leaving for the NBA draft and Udeh transferring to TCU.
What does the 2024 freshman recruiting class bring to the table for what appears to be an absolutely stacked college basketball roster? Additionally, will any of the three players be a mainstay in Lawrence who develop into a multi-year starter for the Jayhawks.