Currently we only have 1 player on the roster that's not a first or 2nd year player.

Yikes

@Kcmatt7

I mean we are not competing for a championship for many reasons and certainly starting a freshman PG is one of them.

This portal cycle has exposed a lot already in how we are compare to other teams in roster management/budget. We know we are not able to outspend others. If you don't have the budget you're relying on other factors to sell. I don't think players value our brand or the significance of playing here anymore. I think its easy to negatively recruit against KU right now.

We landed a PF coming from a bad team in conference. He is a good player and upgrade from Tiller but is he a difference maker or just a steady starter? Then we landed a good PG from Toledo and will need to transition up in competition level. Stats and analytics say he's good and should be a good fit but we've also had a history of trouble with kids coming from lower levels. In both cases did we really beat anyone of significance for them? They had the same agent. Were these guys options #1 or just what they could afford and easy to recruit based off who was after them etc.

Our 3rd leading scorer, left for another school who was our potential leader and offensive/defensive anchor. Whether it was solely for money still signifies an issue that doesn't seem to have a fix under Self. We wouldnt pay him what he wanted and apparently didn't value him enough to do so. Why couldn't we get the most important player to return? Seems like a major elephant in the room if you ask me.

We seemingly have decided that Stokes at his price was worth paying though. We just saw a season that relied on a freshman and how that went. Potentially signing up for that again is asinine. And what if they miss on him in the end? There isn't going to be a backup plan given the new portal window and how quickly it's moving at the top. Seems like the most risky recruiting decision this staff has made in the recent era. There's very little upside to this all unless Stokes is some ungodly talent which just doesn't appear to the be case either.

Of course there's still a roster to fill but man we look as if this season is going to be a real struggle bus

Very excited for Blyden actually. I expect big things out of him. Analytics put him as a top 20 ish overall portal get. We will see if he translates up seamlessly

Bylden has committed. Good pickup. We need lots more though

Thiam visiting Michigan on Monday. Doesn't sound promising for KU

2 more visitors for Monday.

Former LSU and Oklahoma St guard Vyctorious Miller and former Duke/Clemson/College of Charleston Center Christian Reeves are coming.

Miller is a former target from HS and interested to see how that one ends up. Averaged 10ppg on 37% from 3, 85% FT. Great Size for a guard, Capable ball handler and passer. I thought we’d look at him last cycle and would like to see him here as our main backup guard.

Reeves started at Duke, had some injuries derail things. Had a breakout yr for College of Charleston. Was an efficient scorer, rebounded and rim protected well. Excellent size at 7'2

https://youtu.be/0nUSwE7GbOw?si=dLyZLguvdZno5wNu

For viewing pleasure. Tons to like. Runs the floor so well. Dominated KU this yr in Allen with 28

@Kcmatt7

I think the distinction with Bonke and Thiam is the latter would be a surefire starter and the former they would like as a rotation piece. Bonke is looking for a starting role it sounds. If Thiam does visit that is promising and hopefully we could close there. Apparently getting him isn't exclusive to giving his handler a job anymore so that's also important. Thiam would be a very exciting player to match with Dawes and would be pretty thrilled if it ends up that way

Sounds like Blyden is on commitment watch heading into his visit which starts Saturday. He has the same agency as Dawes.

Hill remains a target but all chatter seems to point to him picking Tennessee.

Thiam remains a potential visitor early next week.

Bonke is likely to continue taking his scheduled visits

@BShark

Will like him more if he commits

@rockchalkjayhawk

Marko committed to Georgetown today

New guard target Leroy Blyden Jr. Could be visiting this weekend.
Good Tape. Had good season for a freshman. 40% from 3 on high volume, good rebounding and assists numbers. Hello I've already forgotten Hill...

https://youtu.be/VHQ-5P0yMDA?si=gH33FqmU4i1jR3Cq

@wissox83 said in KU ROSTER 2026-27:

Oh I just read he's going to Misery? This is almost a fire able offense for our coach. When a kid would leave major playing time at KU and go there I'm just speechless.

Apparently when Tiller helped KU beat Missouri at the sprint center by 20 was the day he thought man it would be great to be on that team next yr and lose next time. Chess not checkers

IMO an ideal option at the 4. Happy for this one and he’s a good player. He’s improved year over year, hopefully that continues here

@approxinfinity

Very very likely to be on campus

@CasterTroy

He is taking his visit. KU still after him but its a wait and see now

Joson Sanon in the portal again. Might be time to look at him again

@Jayhawk_69 said in KU ROSTER 2026-27:

We have a zoom set up with former Lobo Jake Hall

Flamethrower from 3, 43% on big volume as a freshman. Had 12 20+ pt games

Nothing new to report on Hill yet.

Bonke will visit more schools after KU apparently. Set to see Mich St, Cincinnati, NC St, South Carolina and Clemson. Only the Mich St visit has a date currently.