How Kansas basketball’s roster looks next season after transfer portal, recruiting
LAWRENCE — With the end of Kansas basketball’s 2023-24 season in March came a flurry of speculation of what the Jayhawks’ roster would look like next season.
Will both Hunter Dickinson and Johnny Furphy return, instead of turning pro? Will anyone transfer away? In the immediate aftermath of Kansas’ round of 32 NCAA tournament loss in the Midwest region against Gonzaga in Salt Lake City, Utah, there were more questions than answers.
But in the weeks that have followed, there has been more clarity about what coach Bill Self and his staff will have at their disposal for the 2024-25 season. Decisions are being made as the Jayhawks attempt to build a Big 12 Conference contender. Here’s what we know so far:
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These Kansas players are out of eligibility
Guard Kevin McCullar Jr., forward Parker Braun and guard Nicolas Timberlake all saw their college careers end this season. McCullar spent two years with the program after transferring in from Texas Tech. Braun, a transfer from Santa Clara, and Timberlake, a transfer from Towson, each spent one at Kansas.
These are the potential scholarship returnees next season
After the decisions that have been announced, regarding turning pro or not, and staying at Kansas or not, these scholarship players are in line to return next season for Kansas.
Hunter Dickinson, a center who’s coming off of his senior season.
Dajuan Harris Jr., a guard who’s coming off of his redshirt senior season.
Jamari McDowell, a guard who’s coming off of his freshman season.
Elmarko Jackson, a guard who’s coming off of his freshman season.
KJ Adams Jr., a forward who’s coming off of his junior season.
Zach Clemence, a forward who redshirted as a junior this past season.
These are the freshmen Kansas is bringing in
Kansas currently has two freshmen signed to its 2024 recruiting class who intend on coming to KU. There’s a forward, Flory Bidunga. There is a guard, Rakease Passmore.
Although Labaron Philon initially signed with the Jayhawks, he eventually decided not to come to KU. In the end, according to 247Sports, he chose to play for Alabama instead.
Florida transfer Riley Kugel commits to Kansas on March 31
Kansas basketball has its first public commitment from the transfer portal. Riley Kugel, formerly with Florida, announces he’s joining the Jayhawks. https://t.co/F4n1YDn72w
— CJOnline (@CJOnline) March 31, 2024
KJ Adams Jr. announces he's returning to Kansas on April 2
Kansas basketball forward KJ Adams Jr. certainly had options, when it came to his future, but he’s returning to the Jayhawks for his senior season. https://t.co/mIuKZfeVMl
— CJOnline (@CJOnline) April 2, 2024
South Dakota State transfer Zeke Mayo commits to Kansas on April 2
That makes 2#kubball https://t.co/WcbsMjJs0t
— Jordan Guskey (@JordanGuskey) April 2, 2024
Johnny Furphy declares for NBA draft, while maintaining eligibility, on April 16
"... What I have learned at Kansas has changed the way I think about basketball, and no matter what happens from here, I’ll always be a Jayhawk ..."#kubball's Johnny Furphy declares for NBA draft but will maintain his eligibility https://t.co/63ZZEAKBpS via @CJOnline
— Jordan Guskey (@JordanGuskey) April 17, 2024
AJ Storr commits to Kansas on April 18
AJ Storr to #kubball: https://t.co/5zQ2s7QwTu via @CJOnline
— Jordan Guskey (@JordanGuskey) April 18, 2024
Rylan Griffen commits to Kansas on April 26
Another one.#kubball https://t.co/R1NNAFQtnp
— Jordan Guskey (@JordanGuskey) April 26, 2024
Hunter Dickinson announces he's returning to Kansas on April 26
He returns.#kubball https://t.co/kOC3ecSO64
— Jordan Guskey (@JordanGuskey) April 26, 2024
Riley Kugel isn't heading to Kansas anymore, as of reports May 8
Portal update: Riley Kugel won't play at Kansas, per sources. Bill Self told @TheAndyKatz Monday Kugel's future w/ KU was "up in the air." Kugel (9.2 ppg @ Florida) is on CBS Sports' list of notable 2024 transfers. He's being recruited again by high-majors.https://t.co/A5mEEs1RYI
— Matt Norlander (@MattNorlander) May 8, 2024
Kansas reportedly loses one walk-on, but adds another
In other walk-on news, walk-on Chris Carter entered the transfer portal after the season, KU has confirmed.
— Henry Greenstein (@HenryGreenstein) May 14, 2024
He is Kansas 5A boys basketball player of the year out of Wichita Kapaun. Will be walking on the KU team. https://t.co/ATS9zyV5ey
— Gary Bedore (@GaryBedore) May 14, 2024
Noah Shelby commits to Kansas on May 19, reportedly as a walk-on
Rice transfer Noah Shelby announced his commitment to Kansas, and according to a report will be joining as a walk-on.
Johnny Furphy announces on May 29 he's remaining in 2024 NBA draft
Officially official.#kubball https://t.co/LnWh81IPrm
— Jordan Guskey (@JordanGuskey) May 30, 2024
Shakeel Moore commits to Kansas on June 5
Kansas basketball received some positive news Wednesday with the commitment of Mississippi State’s Shakeel Moore. KU once again has momentum. https://t.co/AoBQwvxXh0
— CJOnline (@CJOnline) June 5, 2024
David Coit officially joins Kansas on Aug. 12
Kansas basketball wasn’t finished adding to its 2024-25 roster. Here’s more on what Northern Illinois transfer David Coit could bring to the Jayhawks. https://t.co/j44a1zi669
— CJOnline (@CJOnline) August 12, 2024
How many scholarship players can Kansas have next season?
Kansas is still in the period of time in which it is dealing with the scholarship reduction that came from the NCAA infractions case that concerned the program and was resolved this past fall. However, Self has indicated they could apply the one scholarship penalty that is left this upcoming season or the following one. If the Jayhawks go with 12 scholarship players they can apply the remaining penalty this upcoming season, and if they go with 13 scholarship players then they can apply the remaining penalty the following season.
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Jordan Guskey covers University of Kansas Athletics at The Topeka Capital-Journal. He is the National Sports Media Association’s sportswriter of the year for the state of Kansas for 2022. Contact him at jmguskey@gannett.com or on Twitter at @JordanGuskey.
This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Who's going to be on Kansas basketball's roster next season?