Jamari McDowell chooses transfer destination. He’s leaving KU for the ACC
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Jamari McDowell announced he will play for Wake Forest in the 2026-27 season.
- McDowell averaged 3.3 points, 1.6 rebounds and 1.1 assists in his sophomore season.
- He is Wake Forest’s third portal addition, joining Kevair Kennedy and Antonio Dorn.
Kansas sophomore guard Jamari McDowell, who entered the NCAA Transfer portal on April 7, will play basketball at Wake Forest University during the 2026-27 season, he announced Wednesday on social media.
McDowell, a 6-foot-5, 200-pound, 21-year-old Houston native, has two seasons of eligibility remaining at the ACC school located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
He averaged 3.3 points, 1.6 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game while shooting 34.9% on 3-pointers (30-for-86) his soph season at KU. Overall he hit 36% of his shots. He had 39 assists to 17 turnovers.
McDowell scored 10 points with four steals in a home win over then No. 1 Arizona. He had eight points and six assists in a win over Iowa State.
“Overly blessed,” McDowell wrote Wednesday night on a graphic that had him wearing a Wake Forest jersey. Later he had a post on X also confirming the “breaking news.”
“I want to start by thanking the University of Kansas, my coaches, teammates, staff, and the best fans in college basketball,” McDowell wrote in an Instagram post the day he entered the portal.
“Wearing Kansas across my chest has been an honor I’ll carry with me forever. The support, energy, and love I’ve felt in Allen Fieldhouse is something I’ll never forget. “You all helped shape me both on and off the court. After careful thought and prayer, I’ve decided to enter the transfer portal to continue my journey. Thank you for everything.”
Coming out of Houston’s Manvel High School, McDowell chose KU over Xavier, Texas A&M, Wake Forest and others.
Two other Jayhawks, Flory Bidunga (Louisville) and Samis Calderon (Butler) have revealed their transfer destinations. Other KU players with eligibility who are in the portal: Bryson Tiller and Elmarko Jackson.
According to sources, center Paul Mbiya is likely to return to KU after recently telling The Star and others he planned on entering the portal.
Darryn Peterson has completed a one-and-done season at KU. Kohl Rosario this week announced plans to return to KU for a sophomore season. Corbin Allen has yet to reveal his intentions for the 2026-27 season.
McDowell is the third transfer portal addition for the Deacons. Others: point guard Kevair Kennedy (Merrimack) and center Antonio Dorn (Virginia Tech).
