Why Is This Basketball Blue Blood Struggling in the Transfer Portal
Kansas basketball had a disappointing 2024-2025 season, including a first-round exit to Arkansas in the NCAA tournament. Since then, they have seen five players enter the transfer portal. On top of that, they are losing four key seniors, including Zeke Mayo, Hunter Dickinson, Dajuan Harris, and KJ Adams, meaning Bill Self might have his most challenging test yet. KU will look to build an entirely new roster this offseason, but how will that look after such a disappointing season where they were ranked preseason number one?
Rylan Griffen was the most recent Kansas player to enter the transfer portal. The Alabama transfer struggled at KU, averaging fewer points while shooting significantly worse. This doesn’t come as a surprise as he is one of five players who have already entered the portal, including Rakease Passmore, David Coit, Zach Clemence, and Flory Bidunga. Passmore, a former top-50 recruit, didn’t see much playing time in his first year and often struggled when he did. Bill Self has a short leash, and Passmore was the recipient of that during the games where he would appear, so it is no surprise he entered the portal. Coit was a surprise for most Jayhawk fans after he became a fan favorite for his shot-making and short stature. Self seemed to take a liking to him late in the season, but he is a player who could thrive better in a more free-flowing offense. Bidunga is the biggest head-scratcher, as it looked like he would be given the reins after Hunter Dickinson leaves. Bidunga showed great promise during his first year, and with KU’s significant NIL budget, this confused many. Bidunga has entered the portal saying he hasn’t left a return out of the picture and a no-contact tag, so KU fans might not have to stress too much. With that said, if Bidunga doesn’t come back, Kansas basketball will be in a world of trouble next year.
Luckily, Kansas will bring in the number two-ranked player in the country next year, Darryn Peterson, who is already projected to be a top-10 pick. They also return Elmarko Jackson and AJ Storr, even though Storr leaving would not surprise most. Bill Self is under much pressure going into next year, especially after seeing all these players leave. Their NIL budget is said to be one of the highest in the country, so it is making people ask whether the coaching is pushing these players out. KU will have its eyes on plenty of players in the portal, and it will be interesting to see the type of players Self will want to have on his roster for next year.
