After Bill Self’s return, here are the biggest offseason questions for Kansas
Now that Kansas coach Bill Self has announced his return to the Jayhawks for a 24th season, the offseason can move full-steam ahead.
There are still plenty of questions to answer.
One important date is April 7, when the transfer portal officially opens. There’s expected to be some movement regarding the KU roster.
As things stand, here are the biggest questions about KU with the offseason underway...
1. Will the Jayhawks land Tyran Stokes?
It’s no secret that the No. 1 recruit in the class of 2026 is down to Kansas and Kentucky as his two finalists. At a couple different points over the last few months, it’s looked like Tyran Stokes would make his commitment to either school. According to multiple recruiting insiders, the expectation has been for a commitment date later in April.
Well, now that Self is back, don’t be surprised if he’s quicker to make a decision — or at least officially announces a commitment date. He’s previously talked about wanting to wait until Self had made his own choice. One would imagine Self’s return only helps KU’s chances.
Stokes appeared to react to that news in a vague social-media post.
If KU can land him, the Jayhawks will pair him with five-star signee Taylen Kinney. The pair played on the same AAU team in eighth grade. Both Kinney and KU star Darryn Peterson have joined in the recruitment of Stokes to Kansas. Let’s see if that pays off.
“I just talked to (Stokes) the other day about it,” Kinney told The Star in October. “I just said, ‘(We) would be there 10 months together, help each other out. Go to the next level — go to the league, both of us, hopefully. Just want to run it back and play one more time with each other.”
2. Who will the Jayhawks retain from this season’s roster?
Even with Self back, multiple sources have told The Star that several departures from the KU roster should be expected. In the ever-changing landscape of college athletics, a high number of departures has almost become the norm.
The question is: Who will KU retain? The biggest retention target is likely big man Flory Bidunga. He was named Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year and made the All-Big 12 first team last season. He averaged 13.3 points and nine rebounds a game. After a stellar year, Bidunga will likely command a pay raise in NIL dollars.
Bidunga may also test the NBA Draft waters. He’s currently projected as a second-rounder, but NBA scouts are intrigued by his defensive ability and versatility. He’s seen as a pro small-ball five. Bidunga could also enter the transfer portal to gauge his value, as he did last season before returning.
After that, KU will try to retain at least a rotation player or two from last season’s roster. Kohl Rosario is a player the Jayhawks would like to keep. The staff liked Rosario’s work ethic and character, but there was hope he’d be more consistent with his shooting and have a bigger role. If he enters the transfer portal, he will be a hot commodity.
Multiple NBA scouts have told The Star that if the Miami native enters the portal, several teams would be immediately interested, especially those closer to home.
As for what happens to big man Paul Mbiya ... he was used more on the scout team in the last month of the season, and he showed flashes of promise in the NCAA Tournament. Another interesting name is Samis Calderon, who played in just 16 games and averaged 4.1 minutes, but the KU staff liked his raw athleticism.
An NBA scout recently told The Star there’s some intrigue about Calderon’s long-term potential.
3. Who will KU try to target in the transfer portal?
There will be several holes the Jayhawks will need to fill in the portal. With Peterson’s expected departure for the NBA Draft, plus Melvin Council and Tre White both exhausting their eligibility, KU will need to replace three starters and 47 points per game.
That number could increase if Bryson Tiller enters the portal following his freshman year.
The bench may also require reworking, even if guards Jamari McDowell and Elmarko Jackson return, which is not a slam-dunk guarantee. The Jayhawks will look to add not only experience but also players who can make the team bigger, more physical and stronger.
In that regard, the Jayhawks may go after a big man to pair with Bidunga in the event he returns.
