After a turbulent offseason for the Kansas Jayhawks, head coach Bill Self faces mounting pressure to fill key roster spots following the high-profile losses of Dame Sarr to Duke and Darrion Williams to NC State. With three open scholarships and a shrinking pool of elite transfer options, Self must act quickly to keep Kansas competitive in the 2025-26 season.
As Jeff Goodman highlighted in a recent post, “Bill Self still needs one more impact guy,” and the clock is ticking for the Jayhawks to land a difference-maker.
The Top Five Players Bill Self May Target to Salvage the Offseason and Restore Hope in Lawrence
1. RJ Luis (St. John’s Transfer)
Luis is one of the most dynamic wings left in the portal. The 6-foot-6 guard averaged 11.5 points and 4.8 rebounds at St. John’s and is known for his ability to create his own shot and defend multiple positions. With Kansas missing out on Williams, Luis could provide the scoring punch and versatility the Jayhawks desperately need.
Kansas loses Dame Sarr to Duke and Darrion Williams to NC State.
Bill Self still needs one more impact guy.
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) May 22, 2025
2. Rodney Rice (Virginia Tech Transfer)
A former top-100 recruit, Rice has shown flashes of high-level scoring and playmaking. He averaged 7.4 points per game last season but has the upside to be a double-digit scorer in the right system. Kansas could offer him a fresh start and a prominent role, especially with their need for perimeter offense.
3. Wesley Yates (USC Transfer)
Yates is a 6-foot-4 guard who brings athleticism and defensive toughness. He averaged 7.7 points per game as a freshman at USC and has the potential to develop into a high-level two-way player. With Kansas seeking backcourt depth and defensive intensity, Yates would be a strong fit for Self’s system.
4. Cedric Coward (Washington State Transfer)
Coward is a versatile forward who can play multiple positions and impact the game on both ends. He posted a true shooting percentage of 61% in limited games at Washington State and was a key contributor at Eastern Washington before that. Coward’s rebounding and shot-blocking could help fill the void left by missing out on a true power forward.
5. Jalen Watkins (Florida Gulf Coast Transfer)
Last season, Watkins, at 6-foot-7, averaged 14.2 points and 7.8 rebounds. Because he is tall and versatile, he is an interesting player for Kansas, as they need another frontcourt member alongside Flory Bidunga.
KEEP READING: Is Kansas Basketball in a Recruiting Crisis? One Analyst Says So
Kansas’s offseason has not gone as planned, with the Jayhawks missing on both Dame Sarr and Darrion Williams—two players widely viewed as perfect fits for Self’s system. The program’s transfer class currently ranks just 62nd in the nation, and the 2025 high school class is outside the top 40.
With portal options dwindling, these five names represent Bill Self’s best hope of adding the impact talent needed to keep Kansas in the national conversation.
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