University of Kansas

6 reasons the Kansas Jayhawks’ roster shakeup could be a blessing in disguise

Stories by Kansas City Star journalists, with AI summarization

Kansas basketball's major roster turnover will set the stage for a fresh start. The departure of eight of KU's top nine players has prompted a necessary reset, even with some uncertainty about a potential bonus year for Zeke Mayo, who would otherwise appear to be out of eligibility.

Rising sophomores Elmarko Jackson and Jamari McDowell have stayed on following redshirt years, determined to earn key roles in a revamped lineup. Flory Bidunga is back, and there are new additions up and down the lineup, including top recruit Darryn Peterson.

This comes off the back of a 2024-25 season that was arguably the worst of the Bill Self era. And the shakeup will offer KU a chance to rebuild team chemistry and get back to basics, which could lead to (much) better results next year.

The NCAA Tournament March Madness logo By Brett Davis/file photo

NO. 1: DOES FIRST 2026 NCAA TOURNAMENT ‘BRACKETOLOGY’ INCLUDE KU, MISSOURI, KSU, WSU?

ESPN.com has published the first edition of Joe Lunardi’s popular ‘bracketology’ for the 2026 NCAA men’s basketball tournament. | Published May 2, 2025 | Read Full Story by Gary Bedore

Texas Tech forward Darrion Williams goes to the basket against Drake on Saturday. By Travis Heying

NO. 2: DARRION WILLIAMS’ TIMELINE + FRESH LOOK AT KU'S HOOPS ROSTER: KANSAS JAYHAWKS Q&A

KU beat writer Shreyas Laddha answers some hoops and transfer portal questions in this week’s Q&A. | Published May 2, 2025 | Read Full Story by Shreyas Laddha

Brooklyn Nets coach Jacque Vaughn and company introduced the organization’s three NBA Draft picks, including KU’s Jalen Wilson, to the media on Friday in New York. By Vincent Carchietta/file photo

NO. 3: WILL KU JAYHAWKS GREAT VAUGHN JOIN BILL SELF’S COACHING STAFF? HE VISITED TUESDAY

The former KU and NBA point guard visited with KU’s 22nd-year coach Tuesday. | Published May 7, 2025 | Read Full Story by Gary Bedore

Kansas Jayhawks guard Sherron Collins (4) is congratulated by guard Tyshawn Taylor (10) after scoring during the second half of the game against the Cornell Big Red at Allen Fieldhouse. Kansas won 71-66, and Collins scored 33 points on Jan. 6, 2010. By Denny Medley

NO. 4: IT’S RARE WHEN KANSAS MEN’S BASKETBALL TEAM ENTERS SEASON WITH FIVE NEW STARTERS

Tyshawn Taylor, Russell Robinson and a KU assistant coach weigh in on the fact the 2025-26 Jayhawks will have a brand new starting five. | Published April 9, 2025 | Read Full Story by Gary Bedore

Kansas Jayhawks head coach Bill Self watched the final seconds of a Big 12 Championship quarterfinals loss vs. the Arizona Wildcats on March 13, 2025 at T-Mobile Center. By Dominick Williams

NO. 5: IT’S A MASS EXODUS AT KANSAS BASKETBALL. IS IT TIME TO WORRY?

KU basketball will be starting over with an almost-completely-new team in 2025. Is that actually a good thing? | Published April 4, 2025 | Read Full Story by Sam McDowell

Kansas Jayhawks guard Zeke Mayo pulls up his jersey after the Jayhawks’ loss vs. the Texas Tech Red Raiders on Saturday, March 1, 2025, at Allen Fieldhouse. By Dominick Williams

NO. 6: KU BASKETBALL’S ZEKE MAYO WOULD CONSIDER RETURNING. WILL NCAA RULES ALLOW IT?

In an exclusive interview, Zeke Mayo explains why he entered the transfer portal — and why a return to KU isn’t off the table. | Published April 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.