KU Roster for 25-26
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While we should have a very competitive roster, the question is whether it is one that can compete for the B12 title, let along a NC? Championship teams have multiple NBA-level players. Based on ESPN’s (way too early) mock draft, we have only 2 on the board for 2026 - DP at 1 and Flory at 56 (30+ spots below Ejiofor)…Duke has two in the top 10 (including Sarr) and four in the top 16 (of course, they did this year, as well).
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@DCHawker KU has more than two potential NBA players in 2026. Tre White and Bryson Tiller have also shown up in different mocks and Elmarko Jackson was thought of as a OAD when he committed so he could play his way into that realm as well.
KU has the talent, the last two signings have been the needed depth for next season.
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@DCHawker said in KU Roster for 25-26:
While we should have a very competitive roster, the question is whether it is one that can compete for the B12 title, let along a NC? Championship teams have multiple NBA-level players. Based on ESPN’s (way too early) mock draft, we have only 2 on the board for 2026 - DP at 1 and Flory at 56 (30+ spots below Ejiofor)…Duke has two in the top 10 (including Sarr) and four in the top 16 (of course, they did this year, as well).
Lots of us have been KU basketball fans for many decades. Until recently, it was pretty easy in the preseason to gauge how good or not so good we’d be. We’d have returning four year players, with a few exciting recruits to mix in. So, we’d be dealing in known quantities. Ha, times have changed!
Anyway, most of these players I at least have no clue about. I can’t say I’ve ever watched St. Bonaventure intentionally.
Add to that the two guys coming off injury who we hope are big contributors, and even more question marks.
My big concerns on paper are rebounding and 3 pt shooting.
So we seem to have some experienced guys, but I’ll reserve judgment til the fall when we see em on the court.
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@dylans “If you’re going into a field so specialized there are only a few openings, you know where they are located, it’s no surprise.” 100% agreed and this very statement is what I am getting at, the NBA is such a field.
I would place a lot of money on betting you can find more military people that are stationed where they don’t want to be compared to NBA players in the world. The players also don’t even have to live in that city for probably 30-50% of the year between road games and offseason, unlike most other jobs. They could also be deployed at any time and you are going to a much shittier place than Utah and can’t take your family with you. Just saying being in this situation isn’t as unique as it appears.
I can empathize that yes it would suck to be drafted to a team you don’t want to be on or to get traded, but NBA players are paid a premium to give up that flexibility and have union representation to support them. Players could also individually negotiate a no trade clause in their contracts, but no one does that because they don’t value it over leaving money on the table. Everyone in the NBA benefits from the draft system as league parity makes the whole league more profitable. I just don’t think any of us need to feel sorry for NBA players and imagine most of the players would even agree that getting rid of the draft is bad for both the league and players.
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@rockchalkjayhawk I think those concerns are valid, but for 3 point shooting we know we are already getting an upgrade on 3 pt shooters at the 1 and 4 so at least can’t be as bad as last season right?
With how this team is build, it seems like the key won’t be to lead the nation in 3pt%. Just shoot enough at a respectable % so that defenders can’t pack the paint and block driving/cutting lanes.
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@DCHawker ya , now this Group of Duke recruits ha to prove themselves.---- --There is NO COOPER Flagg or knippel l on the roster…—have seen many 5 star players come up short. Just because there 5 stars doesn’t mean opponents are just gonna step aside and tell Duke to name the score and go from there…- Look how poorly Kentucky has been lately with all the so called stars haven’t came through , came up short
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@SlimShaddy54 Duke had all five starters drafted. No KU players draft worthy. KU beat Duke… maybe Bill can coach a bit.
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@dylans w have beaten Duke multiple times I beleive always loaded but under preform
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Reading Matt Tait’s site earlier and a few days ago he posted an article about Elmarko Jackson stepping up as a leader for the team next season. This is huge because he is a different style of leader from Harris and if the team takes on his attitude and personality.
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@rockchalkjayhawk said in KU Roster for 25-26:
****** With the recent House v NCAA settlement, things are complicated with roster size. It’s hard to say if KU has two more spots to fill, or less. Also, apparently there’s a new fule for “designated student athletes.” These are players who would have been removed given the new roster rules, but now may stick around until they run out of eligibility, but may not count against roster size. This could easily be ALL the KU walkons. ******
May as well look ahead to see what’s in store for next season.
I’ll try to keep track of the offseason drama here. I’ll keep this mostly official, so no portal projections here.
But the portal window is: March 24 to April 22
Roster size: 14 (includes ALL but DSA players. Normally it’s 15, but we lost one to NCAA sanctions)
Roster size at the moment: 12 (a bit sketchy given the DSA rules)
RETURNEES (4)
G Elmarko Jackson
G/F Jamari McDowell
PF Bryson Tiller
C Flory Bidunga
RETURNING WALK ONS? (4 – and potential “designated student athletes”)
G Noah Shelby
G Wilder Evers
G Will Thengvall
F Justin Cross
IMCOMING FRESHMEN (5)
G Darryn Peterson
F Samis Calderon
G Corbin Allen – Oak Park High School
SG Kohl Rosario
C Paul Mbiya — not sure what year he is
PORTAL ADDITIONS (3)
G Jayden Dawson via Loyola Chicago. One year of eligibility left.
G/F Tre White via Illinois – previous stops at Louisville, USC. One year of eligibility left.
G Melvin Council Jr. via St. Bonaventure – previous stop at Wagner. One year of eligibility left.
BIG QUESTION MARK (1)
SF Jaden Nickens – A football player who may play hoops. May have to count against the roster before the season begins.
HAVE ENTERED PORTAL (6 initially – Bidunga entered, but will return)
G/F AJ Storr – signed with Ole Miss
G/F Rylan Griffen — signed with Texas AM
G/F Rakease Passmore — signed with Maryland
PF/C Zach Clemence – signed with Texas A&M
G David Coit – signed with Maryland
Great info! Thanks!!!
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I’m holding on to a thought that Self has one more trick up his sleeve for that final scholie and it might be the key to our season success!
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@drgnslayr Do tell!
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Just a feeling and I don’t want to jinx anything with a detailed prediction.
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Noah Shelby has entered the transfer portal.
https://www.on3.com/college/kansas-jayhawks/news/kansas-sg-noah-shelby-enters-ncaa-transfer-portal/
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Sounds like Noah Shelby has entered the portal.
So, he was truly a designated student athlete.
** Roster above updated.
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@rockchalkjayhawk A miracle occurred; Moses parted the waters that Shelby could arrive, but then Noah fled on his boat.
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@dylans said in KU Roster for 25-26:
@rockchalkjayhawk A miracle occurred; Moses parted the waters that Shelby could arrive, but then Noah fled on his boat.
Ha!
What kind of NIL package would Moses ask for?
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@rockchalkjayhawk I don’t know how much it would be, but whatever the amount, it would be etched in stone.
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@bskeet said in KU Roster for 25-26:
@rockchalkjayhawk I don’t know how much it would be, but whatever the amount, it would be etched in stone.
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Nginyu Ngala. Things are heating up quickly
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Hard pass on soon to be 27 year olds!
What the hell is happening with college sports?!
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My KU roomie and great friend was telling me his nephew just got picked to be a student manager!
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This post is deleted!
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Updated the roster at the top after adding the 45 year old Canadian point guard!
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@rockchalkjayhawk said in KU Roster for 25-26:
Hard pass on soon to be 27 year olds!
What the hell is happening with college sports?!
He’s a 1 year rental that’s essentially going to be doing scout team stuff. He’s not someone being brought in to play a big role on the court. I’m fine with players like this because he’s not going to do anything to embarrass the university.
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What makes you say he is a one year rental?
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@Jhawk69 He only has one year of eligibility left. Frankly I’m not even sure how given how old he is and how many years he has already played.
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@BShark He is 26 years old.
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One roster spot to go. Will we fill it?
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Updated.
May as well look ahead to see what’s in store for next season.
I’ll try to keep track of the offseason drama here. I’ll keep this mostly official, so no portal projections here.
Roster size: 14 (includes ALL but DSA players. Normally it’s 15, but we lost one to NCAA sanctions)
Roster size at the moment: 13 (a bit sketchy given the DSA rules)
RETURNEES (4)
G Elmarko Jackson
G/F Jamari McDowell
PF Bryson Tiller
C Flory Bidunga
RETURNING WALK ONS? (3 – and potential “designated student athletes”)
G Wilder Evers
G Will Thengvall
F Justin Cross
IMCOMING FRESHMEN (5)
G Darryn Peterson
F Samis Calderon
G Corbin Allen – Oak Park High School
SG Kohl Rosario
C Paul Mbiya — not sure what year he is
PORTAL ADDITIONS (4)
G Jayden Dawson via Loyola Chicago. One year of eligibility left.
G/F Tre White via Illinois – previous stops at Louisville, USC. One year of eligibility left.
G Melvin Council Jr. via St. Bonaventure – previous stop at Wagner. One year of eligibility left.
PG Nginyu Ngala via Canada. he’s like 28 years old! Likely a senior.
BIG QUESTION MARK (1)
SF Jaden Nickens – A football player who may play hoops. May have to count against the roster before the season begins.
HAVE ENTERED PORTAL (6 —Bidunga initially entered, but will return)
G/F AJ Storr – signed with Ole Miss
G/F Rylan Griffen — signed with Texas AM
G/F Rakease Passmore — signed with Maryland
PF/C Zach Clemence – signed with Texas A&M
G David Coit – signed with Maryland
G Noah Shelby
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Anybody have the scoop on Jaden Nickens? Will he play both football and basketball?
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@rockchalkjayhawk Thanks for posting this with updates
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@rockchalkjayhawk said in KU Roster for 25-26:
One roster spot to go. Will we fill it?
Would love a wing in that spot.
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@rockchalkjayhawk said in KU Roster for 25-26:
Anybody have the scoop on Jaden Nickens? Will he play both football and basketball?
Right now, it sounds like he won’t be playing basketball this upcoming season based on what the KC Star wrote in their article on Ngala committing.
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@TYOHawk said in KU Roster for 25-26:
@rockchalkjayhawk said in KU Roster for 25-26:
One roster spot to go. Will we fill it?
Would love a wing in that spot.
Yea looking at the roster we do seem thin with experience at the SF spot?
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@AsadZ said in KU Roster for 25-26:
@BShark He is 26 years old.
Right, it’s pretty crazy that he has eligbility left. Modern times I suppose.
@rockchalkjayhawk I would be rather surprised if that spot was filled. Only so much $ and playing time.
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@BShark said in KU Roster for 25-26:
@AsadZ said in KU Roster for 25-26:
@BShark He is 26 years old.
Right, it’s pretty crazy that he has eligbility left. Modern times I suppose.
@rockchalkjayhawk I would be rather surprised if that spot was filled. Only so much $ and playing time.
Yea on that roster spot? Seems weird for a major program like Kansas to not have a full roster of players. Times are changing i suppose.
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@rockchalkjayhawk said in KU Roster for 25-26:
@BShark said in KU Roster for 25-26:
@AsadZ said in KU Roster for 25-26:
@BShark He is 26 years old.
Right, it’s pretty crazy that he has eligbility left. Modern times I suppose.
@rockchalkjayhawk I would be rather surprised if that spot was filled. Only so much $ and playing time.
Yea on that roster spot? Seems weird for a major program like Kansas to not have a full roster of players. Times are changing i suppose.
It is also more than it used to be now. 15 instead of 13. Admittedly it was always a big bigger with walk-ons. The last spots now are essentially walk-ons. Finding cheap players in this era will be important.
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@BShark said in KU Roster for 25-26:
@rockchalkjayhawk said in KU Roster for 25-26:
@BShark said in KU Roster for 25-26:
@AsadZ said in KU Roster for 25-26:
@BShark He is 26 years old.
Right, it’s pretty crazy that he has eligbility left. Modern times I suppose.
@rockchalkjayhawk I would be rather surprised if that spot was filled. Only so much $ and playing time.
Yea on that roster spot? Seems weird for a major program like Kansas to not have a full roster of players. Times are changing i suppose.
It is also more than it used to be now. 15 instead of 13. Admittedly it was always a big bigger with walk-ons. The last spots now are essentially walk-ons. Finding cheap players in this era will be important.
Well for this year at least, we still have some “walk-ons.”
