The Kansas Jayhawks enter the 2026-27 season with a desperate hunger to put the last year behind them. Though Bill Self would probably like to erase every year since winning it all in 2022 if he had his druthers.
The 2025-26 season was particularly brutal, considering how high expectations were. Darryn Peterson's unwillingness/inability to play the entire year, due to apparent cramps (though many are suspicious of his true intentions, considering his poorly-timed sicknesses), caused confusion and tension throughout the Jayhawks. Flory Bidunga was an elite defender and rim-runner all season, but his foul troubles undid KU at the worst time against St. John's in the Round of 32. Bryson Tiller showed enough potential defensively and on the glass, but left a bit to be desired from beyond the arc. Tiller is Missouri Tigers-bound, though, and Bidunga took his talents to Louisville, both by means of the transfer portal. Meanwhile, the other two starters, Melvin Council Jr. and Tre White, are out of college eligibility and set to prepare for the NBA draft, as is Peterson.
The slate will be clean this coming year. With as much talent heading out the door as the Jayhawks have, either to the NBA draft or elsewhere, the future could be bright with a shaken-up locker room. Here's how Kansas's 2026-27 roster breaks down (so far):
KU's Returning players: G Kohl Rosario and C Paul Mbiya
While Kohl Rosario started several games in his freshman season, it'd be surprising to see him in the first five to start the 2026-27 season. With that said, Rosario will likely see some minutes, especially if his shooting stroke from his Overtime Elite run (41.4% in the playoffs) comes to fruition.
Paul Mbiya has great size, including a seven-foot-eight wingspan, but is still raw as a prospect. He'll most certainly be a backup, though Mbiya is someone who can eventually develop into a starter in a year or two.
Rosario and Mbiya have lots of room to grow, but they could be worthwhile cogs in Bill Self's system if enough things break right in Lawrence for the only returning talents from last year.
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KU's incoming transfers: C Christian Reeves, PF Keanu Dawes, SG Leroy Blyden Jr., SG Dennis Parker Jr.
Radford Highlanders transfer guard Dennis Parker Jr. is the only transfer player who isn't expected to start for Self this coming season. College of Charleston Cougars big man Christian Reeves will likely be in front of Mbiya, while Utah Utes transfer Keanu Dawes should start alongside him in the frontcourt.
Meanwhile, explosive Toledo Rockets guard Leroy Blyden Jr. should get the nod at the two-guard spot after scoring 16.4 points per game on 40.7% from beyond the arc as a freshman in the MAC.
KU's incoming freshmen: F Tyran Stokes, PG Taylen Kinney, PF Davion Adkins, SG/SF Trent Perry, SG Luke Barnett, C Grant Mordini, PF Atticus Richmond
Tyran Stokes, like Peterson, was the No. 1 overall high school recruit in this year's class and will have NBA scouts at every single game. "Tank for Stokes" could be a 2026-27 NBA season-long mantra if the Louisville native shows out for the Jayhawks.
Taylen Kinney, the No. 22 overall recruit who's coming over from Overtime Elite, will likely be Stokes' star running mate, setting the floor at the one. Kinney is another Kentucky native who chose to commit to Kansas instead of sticking with the hometown Cardinals or Wildcats.
Trent Perry, Luke Barnett, Grant Mordini, and Atticus Richmond will all compete for depth minutes. Self, who's been recruiting high school prospects for decades before NIL/revenue sharing became prevalent, did well to land the No. 5 high school class in the 2026-27 cycle. This group will determine if Self can still develop players like he used to.
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