Newcomer Kohl Rosario brings big game (& new ranking) to KU basketball in 2025-26
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Kohl Rosario reclassified to join Kansas for 2025–26 after standout OTE season.
- Rosario impressed at national camps, earning elite prospect status nationwide.
- Kansas adds Rosario to a roster headlined by five freshmen and top transfers.
Kohl Rosario emerged as Rivals’ No. 27-ranked prospect in the recruiting class of 2026 during the 2024-25 school year while playing for the YNG Dreamerz, champions of the Overtime Elite League in Atlanta.
The 6-foot-5, 185-pound Miami, Florida native, who signed a financial aid agreement with Kansas after reclassifying on Tuesday, assured himself status as an elite recruit nationally by averaging 15.7 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.8 steals per game. In the OTE playoffs, Rosario averaged 13.6 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.6 steals in the squad’s seven-game run to the title.
Attracting the attention of teams looking for outside shooting, Rosario went 12-for-29 from 3 in the playoffs for 41.4%.
Content to remain in the recruiting class of 2026 and play a final high school season for Moravian Prep in Hudson, North Carolina, Rosario continued his stellar play at the NBPA Top 100 camp June 9-13 in Rock Hill, South Carolina.
He performed so well, he garnered an invitation to attend the Jason Tatum Elite camp July 29-Aug. 1 in Las Vegas.
Coaches from KU, Duke, Oregon, Texas A&M, North Carolina and others suddenly made it clear he’d be welcome to reclassify and enroll for the 2025-26 school year, not just 26-27.
His visit to KU last Tuesday and Wednesday was so impactful that Rosario, who had previously visited Oregon and Florida State, elected to cancel visits to Texas A&M (June 22), Duke (June 26) and Baylor (June 29) and commit to reclassify and play this upcoming season for Bill Self in Lawrence.
He’s expected to compete for a spot in the regular playing rotation, with Self on Tuesday citing Rosario’s shooting ability combined with “competitiveness that will add a piece to our culture.”
“Leadership on and off the court, my ability to shoot and play above the rim, how hard I play and my offensive/defensive rebounding are just some of my strengths,” Rosario told The Star on Tuesday when asked what he’ll bring to the table at KU. “You can always learn and always improve. I can improve on moving laterally defensively and creating off the dribble.”
Rosario does take pride in playing hard at all times.
“I am a competitor, so whatever I do, I do it to win,” he told The Star, adding, “my expectations this season are to win a national championship.”
Rosario added: “What I like about KU is the fact that you are playing for something bigger than yourself. There is so much basketball history at KU. Furthermore, KU has a coaching staff that (others) cannot compare and they do a lot of winning. I want to win. KU has a great coaching staff and elite players. I can’t wait to join them.”
It helps that he already is friends with Bryson Tiller and Samis Calderon, KU freshmen who also played in the Overtime Elite program.
“I know Samis more than I knew BT because (Tiller) left early from Overtime Elite to come to KU. However on my visit I’ve gotten to know both of them better as players and as people,” Rosario said.
Of the visit to KU, he added: “I enjoyed spending time with the coaching staff and the team. It was overall a great experience, and I enjoyed my time.”
Tiller 6-10, 240 originally from Atlanta, which happens to be the home of Overtime Elite, arrived at KU last January to redshirt and get a head start on his freshman season during his rehab from foot surgery. Calderon is a 6-8, 200 pounds, from Espirito Santo, Brazil.
“I am very excited about going to KU this fall. I want to win and win as a team. Not many people get this opportunity so, I am very grateful,” said Rosario, who since signing with KU has been ranked No. 71 in the recruiting class of 2025 by 247Sports.
Jamie Shaw, the national recruiting analyst for Rivals, was impressed with Rosario’s work at the NBPA Top 100 camp.
“He had a very solid showing,” said Shaw. “He shot 51.9% from the field and averaged 14.8 points. He needs to continue working through his balance points with his shots from range, but his physical presence and nose for being around the play led to consistent production.”
At the Adidas NextGen Euroleague, he shot 42% from 3 on 6.3 attempts per game. During his eight games on the EYBL circuit, he shot 44% from 3 on 5.6 attempts.
KU currently has 11 scholarship players on the roster: freshmen Rosario, Tiller, Calderon, Darryn Peterson and Corbin Allen; incoming NCAA portal transfers Melvin Council Jr., Jayden Dawson and Tre White and returnees Flory Bidunga, Elmarko Jackson and Jamari McDowell.
KU also has walk-ons in Noah Shelby, Will Thengvall, Wilder Evers and Justin Cross.
KU has up to three scholarships left to give in recruiting. Freshman scholarship football player Jaden Nickens, who has said he wants to play football and basketball at KU, would count against the limit of 14 if he does indeed play hoops. He is not currently on the basketball roster for 2025-26.
KU has until July 6 to designate any players (walk-ons) who would have lost their roster spot as a result of new NCAA roster limits. Such players will be exempt from the total number for the remainder of their careers.
