As Bill Self and the Kansas Jayhawks look towards 2025, tension is building in the KU fanbase. With major departures and recruiting challenges, can Self engineer another rapid reload after a disappointing 2024-25? Let’s dive in.
Bill Self, Kansas Facing Unprecedented Roster Turnover
Kansas enters the 2025-26 season in unfamiliar territory, having lost its top four scorers—Hunter Dickinson, Zeke Mayo, KJ Adams Jr., and Dajuan Harris Jr.—and seeing its blue-blood recruiting reputation questioned. National insider Jon Rothstein didn’t mince words.
Kansas is currently not a top-five team in the Big 12 entering the 2025-26 season. pic.twitter.com/y31oUbw1Eg
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) May 20, 2025
“Kansas would not be in the top five of the Big 12. I’d go Houston, I’d go BYU, I’d go Texas Tech, Arizona, and Iowa State. Looking right now at the roster that Kansas has assembled, I see nothing but questions.”
Bill Self, now in his 22nd year, has acknowledged the shifting landscape. “Recruit fits rather than talent,” Self told The Athletic, reflecting on lessons learned from recent portal classes that didn’t mesh with his system.
This spring, Self’s strategy has focused on versatile, interchangeable players who can shoot and defend multiple positions, aiming to recapture the formula of his most successful Kansas teams.
Despite a roster in flux, there are bright spots. The arrival of Darryn Peterson, the No. 1 overall recruit in the 2025 class, has generated optimism. Self called him “the most talented incoming freshman we’ve signed.”
He continued, “Darryn is the most prepared high school player we’ve recruited. He possesses maturity beyond his years both on and off the court. I believe he’s a player who can lead a team as a freshman”.
Alongside Peterson, transfers like Tre White, Jayden Dawson, and Melvin Council Jr. bring experience and defensive prowess to a lineup desperate for new leaders.
The Jayhawks’ approach to reloading is a blend of high-upside freshmen and targeted portal additions. Self is still searching for one more scorer.
“I think we’re one piece away,” the coach clarified. “We need one individual who can contribute 14-15 points, and I believe we’re close, but not finished yet”.
The pursuit of international prospects like Dame Sarr—described as a “Jayhawk lean” by recruiting insiders—could provide the final boost to the backcourt.
RELATED: Analyst Explains Why Kansas Is No Longer Top Dog in the Big 12 Ahead of the 2025 Season
Kansas’ projected starting lineup features Peterson, Dawson, White, and promising big man Flory Bidunga. It also has depth from Shakeel Moore and Elmarko Jackson, who is returning from injury. As Self explained, the focus is on building a roster with “eight starters that can play meaningful starter minutes at Kansas if something happens. ”
This depth-first mentality is designed to insulate the team from injuries and maintain competitiveness in a rapidly changing college basketball environment. Self is also adapting defensively, aiming for a more aggressive style.
“We’ll be able to apply pressure, extend our defense, and guard ball screens in various ways. Our aggressiveness in taking the ball from the best player will increase”. The hope is that this new mix of talent and tactics will restore Kansas’s defensive edge and overall identity.
Kansas basketball faces real questions, but Bill Self’s willingness to adapt—prioritizing fit, versatility, and elite young talent—offers hope for a quick turnaround.
As Self put it, “There’s no guarantee that the same players will be around, as free agency allows every player on your roster to test the waters or assess their market value each year.” The Jayhawks’ future may be uncertain, but the blueprint for a reload is clear.
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