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Eight key moments shaping Kansas basketball’s 2025 season

Stories by Kansas City Star journalists, with AI summarization

Kansas basketball's 2025 journey is already pulsing with momentum, fresh faces, and fierce matchups. This list of stories outlines rising stars like Flory Bidunga and Rakease Passmore stepping into the spotlight, a spirited blowout win over Oklahoma State, and the strategic search for one final roster piece. Coach Bill Self continues shaping the squad with sharp recruiting, while preseason showdowns against North Carolina and Michigan State raise the stakes early.

A clash with rival Kansas State and a gritty test against No. 2 Iowa State hint at a season loaded with intensity. With elite recruits like Darryn Peterson on the horizon, Kansas isn’t just rebuilding—they’re reloading.

Lafayette Jeff Bronchos’ Ethan Smith (10) and Parker Rosi (32) attempt to box out Kokomo Wildkats center Flory Bidunga (40) during the IHSAA boy’s basketball game, Friday, Jan. 27, 2023, at Lafayette Jeff High School in Lafayette, Ind. By Alex Martin

NO. 1: WHERE MEMBERS OF KU BASKETBALL’S 2024 RECRUITING CLASS LANDED IN FINAL ESPN TOP 100

Kansas basketball is bringing in multiple top-50 freshmen this coming season. | Published April 23, 2024 | Read Full Story by Shreyas Laddha

KU men’s basketball coach Bill Self visits with attendees at Monday’s 21st annual Otto Schnellbacher golf outing in Topeka. By Gary Bedore

NO. 2: KU’S BILL SELF DISCUSSES POSSIBLE 2024-25 ROSTER ADDITIONS AT TOPEKA GOLF TOURNEY

The Jayhawks currently have 11 scholarship players on campus for summer school and summer hoops workouts. | Published June 3, 2024 | Read Full Story by Gary Bedore

Dec 28, 2023; Orlando, FL, USA; Kansas State head coach Chris Klieman celebrates the victory over NC State after the game at Camping World Stadium. By Jeremy Reper

NO. 3: WITH DEPARTURES, WHO’S THE NEW BIG 12 POWER BROKER? WHY NOT THE KANSAS STATE WILDCATS?

Kansas State, one of the nation’s most consistent football programs, is poised to become a Big 12 top dog. | Published July 9, 2024 | Read Full Story by Blair Kerkhoff

Kansas Jayhawks coach Bill Self during the second half in the second round of the 2024 NCAA Tournament against the Gonzaga Bulldogs at Vivint Smart Home Arena-Delta Center on March 23, 2024.

NO. 4: TIPOFF TIMES SET FOR SEVERAL KU BASKETBALL GAMES IN 2024-25, INCLUDING ONE AT 10 P.M.

The Jayhawks will entertain Kansas State in a pair of afternoon games on the schedule. Here’s a look at the full schedule. | Published October 10, 2024 | Read Full Story by Gary Bedore

Kansas Jayhawks forward K.J. Adams (24) is fouled by Iowa State Cyclones guard Curtis Jones (5) at James H. Hilton Coliseum on Feb. 4, 2023.

NO. 5: KU BASKETBALL GAME PREDICTION: CAN KANSAS UPSET NO. 2 IOWA STATE AT HILTON COLISEUM?

Here’s a prediction and betting odds for KU basketball’s game vs. Iowa State. | Published January 15, 2025 | Read Full Story by Shreyas Laddha

Kansas Jayhawks guard Rylan Griffen (6) dribbles during the second half of a game against North Carolina-Wilmington inside Allen Fieldhouse on Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024. By Evert Nelson

NO. 6: KANSAS JAYHAWKS VS. K-STATE WILDCATS: CAN KSU BEAT THIS KU TEAM IN BASKETBALL SATURDAY?

Here’s a prediction and betting odds for KU’s noon home game against Kansas State. | Published January 18, 2025 | Read Full Story by Shreyas Laddha

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CVCA’s Darryn Peterson drives to the basket past St. Vincent-St. Mary’s Torell Hopson in the first half at Canton Memorial Civic Center, Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023. By Julie Vennitti Botos

NO. 7: WHICH KANSAS JAYHAWKS AND K-STATE WILDCATS WERE NAMED 2025 MCDONALD’S ALL-AMERICANS?

The list includes Darryn Peterson, the No. 2 national men’s basketball recruit headed to Lawrence. | Published January 27, 2025 | Read Full Story by Gary Bedore

Kansas Jayhawks guard Dajuan Harris Jr. (3) drives against Oklahoma State Cowboys guard Khalil Brantley (5) in the first half at Allen Fieldhouse on Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, in Lawrence, Kansas. By Tammy Ljungblad

NO. 8: CHALLENGED BY BILL SELF, KU BASKETBALL BLASTS OKLAHOMA STATE: HERE ARE 4 TAKEAWAYS

Here’s how Kansas basketball responded to Bill Self’s challenge against the Oklahoma State Cowboys. | Published February 22, 2025 | Read Full Story by Shreyas Laddha

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.