Catch up on KC Star's KU basketball coverage for 2025-26

There's plenty of anticipation as KU basketball preps for a new season. Catch up on our KC Star coverage highlighting changes, improvements and expectations as KU gears up for competition.

Bill Self, entering his 23rd year as coach, feels renewed energy after lifestyle changes following a health scare. He's confident in the new team's potential and praises standout freshman Darryn Peterson and others like Flory Bidunga. Self states the team, ranked 19th, is more athletic and deeper than last year.

Meanwhile, freshman Kohl Rosario impresses teammates and Self with his dedication and rapid integration. He joins the team after reclassifying from the class of 2026. The "Late Night in The Phog" event showcased team spirit and potential, despite a less-than-full house. Self expresses confidence that his team can be better than "just OK." Freshman Peterson, although shooting inconsistently, shows flashes of brilliance in a scrimmage.

Finally, the newcomers, including several from the Overtime Elite league, offer a glimpse of fresh talent. Self comments on the advantages of Overtime Elite, emphasizing its role in developing players like Bryson Tiller, Samis Calderon.

Kansas Jayhawks head men’s basketball coach Bill Self attends the Grind Session High School Basketball World Championships game between Prolific Prep and DME Academy at Coffin Sports Complex on Saturday, March 22, 2025, in Lawrence, Kansas. By Emily Curiel

NO. 1: INSIDE AN UNEXPECTED HOTBED FOR KANSAS BASKETBALL RECRUITING

Nestled in the middle of Atlanta, a new pipeline for Kansas basketball recruiting has emerged. | Published September 18, 2025 | Read Full Story by Shreyas Laddha

Head coach Bill Self of the Kansas Jayhawks yells from the bench during the 1st half of the game against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Allen Fieldhouse on January 30, 2024. By Jamie Squire

NO. 2: KU BASKETBALL RECEIVES LOWEST RANKING IN PRESEASON AP POLL SINCE 2008-09 SEASON

Kansas men’s basketball is ranked No. | Published October 13, 2025 | Read Full Story by Shreyas Laddha

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Kansas basketball coach Bill Self spoke with media members on Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2025, in advance of Friday’s Late Night in the Phog. By Gary Bedore

NO. 3: BILL SELF FEELS REENERGIZED ENTERING 2025-26. CAN KU BASKETBALL MATCH THAT LEVEL?

A noticeably slimmed-down Bill Self acknowledges he’s changed his lifestyle a bit since undergoing a late July heart catheterization that included the placement of two stents for the treatment of blocked arteries. | Published October 15, 2025 | Read Full Story by Gary Bedore

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Kansas basketball coach Bill Self spoke with media members on Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2025, in advance of Friday’s Late Night in the Phog. By Gary Bedore

NO. 4: KOHL ROSARIO’S RISE, PLUS WORST-CASE SCENARIO FOR KU HOOPS: KANSAS JAYHAWKS Q&A

Kohl Rosario hasn’t worn a KU uniform for long, but he’s already got respect from his teammates. | Published October 17, 2025 | Read Full Story by Shreyas Laddha

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Kansas Jayhawks men’s basketball coach Bill Self speaks to the crowd at Allen Fieldhouse during Late Night in the Phog on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, in Lawrence, Kan. By Dominick Williams

NO. 5: LATE NIGHT LESSON: BILL SELF THINKS HIS KU JAYHAWKS CAN BE BETTER THAN JUST ‘OK’

Microphone in hand, Bill Self sauntered out of the northwest tunnel of Allen Fieldhouse at 7:44 p.m. | Published October 18, 2025 | Read Full Story by Gary Bedore

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Freshman Kansas Jayhawks guard Darryn Peterson, left, shares a laugh at halfcourt with KU teammate Melvin Council Jr. during the men's scrimmage at Late Night in the Phog, on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, in Lawrence, Kan. By Dominick Williams

NO. 6: TAKEAWAYS FROM THE KANSAS JAYHAWKS’ LATE NIGHT IN THE PHOG SEASON-KICKOFF EVENT

College basketball season is almost here. | Published October 18, 2025 | Read Full Story by Shreyas Laddha

Kansas Jayhawks center Paul Mbiya shows his wingspan during the men's scrimmage at Late Night in the Phog on Friday, October 17, 2025, in Lawrence. By Dominick Williams

NO. 7: KU BASKETBALL INTRODUCES NEW-LOOK ROSTER WITH ‘WELCOME TO HOOPS ISLAND’ PARODY

Kansas’ 16 men’s basketball players each made their own case for a spot on the Jayhawks’ 2025-26 roster during a comedy skit — entitled “Welcome to Hoops Island” — which played on the videoboard at Friday night’s Late Night in the Phog at Allen FIeldhouse. | Published October 18, 2025 | Read Full Story by Gary Bedore

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.