What began as such a promising season for Kansas ended with a dud in the 2024 men’s NCAA tournament.
Following a 12-1 run through nonconference play, the injury-riddled Jayhawks posted a 10-8 record—its worst league mark of the Bill Self era—during Big 12 games.
They immediately bowed out of the conference tournament before Saturday’s second-round loss to Gonzaga in the Big Dance.
Kansas probably won’t be down for long, though.
Yes, the Jayhawks need to replace at least one star player and likely an NBA-bound freshman. But as long as Self is around, there won’t be a shortage of optimism around KU.
Kansas already knows Dajuan Harris Jr. is planning to use a fifth season of eligibility, and the hope is Hunter Dickinson does, too.
My guess? He will.
Two decades ago, Dickinson would’ve had a clear professional home. In today’s era, the productive but limited post player is more of a college superstar with an uncertain future—at least in the NBA.
KJ Adams should also be back, meaning the Jayhawks would return three full-time starters.
Elmarko Jackson opened 17 games as a freshman and is plenty talented. Because he fell out of favor midway through the season, however, whether Jackson’s future is still in Lawrence will at least be a question. But, in short: It should be.
Dickinson is a risk to leave, but the Jayhawks are certain they’ll need to replace three important contributors.
Leading scorer Kevin McCullar Jr. has exhausted his eligibility along with rotation pieces Nick Timberlake and Parker Braun. McCullar is a potential first-round NBA draft pick, per B/R’s Jonathan Wasserman.
And so is freshman Johnny Furphy.
Knowing that, it’s unlikely that the Australian wing spends another year in college. He’s the final expected departure other than any scholarship player who hits the transfer portal.
First things first: Kansas has signed the No. 8 class in the country.
Most notably, the Jayhawks landed a pledge from 5-star center Flory Bidunga, the No. 11 player of the 2024 cycle. Even if Dickinson stays at KU, Bidunga should hold a significant role as a freshman.
Kansas also picked up a pair of top-50 overall prospects in guards Labaron Philon and Rakease Passmore. They are ranked 31st and 49th, respectively, in the class.
Last offseason, KU dealt with a barrage of roster turnover with eight outgoing transfers and five incoming players. The portal shouldn’t be quite as busy in 2024, but the Jayhawks will probably be looking for an impact guard to join the roster next season.
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