Saoirse Downs
Kansas basketball has experienced a period of upheaval, with a mass exodus of players and a string of disappointing results. The team, led by head coach Bill Self, has undergone a significant reset, with several key contributors leaving and new recruits joining. The Jayhawks suffered a humiliating loss to BYU, and their 2023-24 season was described as forgettable, marking a downward trend. However, with a busy recruitment season ahead and a shift in priorities, Kansas basketball is hoping to turn a new leaf and reclaim its past glory.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of event | April 2025 |
| Team | Kansas Jayhawks |
| Coach | Bill Self |
| Event | Mass exodus of players |
| Number of players | 6 |
| Names of players | A.J. Storr, Flory Bidunga, Rakease Passmore, David Coit, Rylan Griffen, and Zach Clemence |
| Reason | Poor performance, worst-performing Bill Self team in his 22 seasons at Kansas |
| Future prospects | Recruiting top prospects for the 2026 season, including Ariza, Maximo Adams, and Ethan Taylor |
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What You'll Learn
Kansas Jayhawks' mass exodus
The Kansas Jayhawks men's basketball team underwent a mass exodus in 2025, with six players entering the NCAA basketball transfer portal. This came after a disappointing season where the Jayhawks finished with a 21-13 record, the worst in head coach Bill Self's 22 seasons at Kansas. The team lost to the Arkansas Razorbacks in the round of 64, becoming the second team in college basketball history to lose in the first round after being preseason No. 1.
The players who entered the transfer portal were A.J. Storr, Flory Bidunga, Rakease Passmore, David Coit, Rylan Griffen, and Zach Clemence. Storr, in particular, was a highly coveted transfer in 2024, but had an underwhelming season with the Jayhawks. With key contributors like Hunter Dickinson and KJ Adams Jr. also out of eligibility, the Jayhawks were left with a depleted roster.
The mass exodus caused concern among fans and observers, who worried about the team's future. However, others saw it as an opportunity for a necessary reboot. The Jayhawks shifted their recruiting priorities, and by September 2025, they had identified several standout prospects, including Darryn Peterson, a highly touted freshman combo guard.
While the 2025 offseason presented a challenge for the Jayhawks, the focus shifted to rebuilding the roster and creating a new chapter for the program. With a new group of recruits and remaining scholarship players, the team aimed to bounce back from a difficult season and restore their reputation in college basketball.
The Kansas Jayhawks' mass exodus in 2025 highlighted the dynamic nature of college basketball, where rosters can undergo significant changes from year to year. It remains to be seen how the team will perform in the upcoming season, but with a fresh set of players and a reset mindset, they are poised to write a new chapter in their history.
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Bill Self's worst season
The 2023-24 season was one of the worst in Kansas Jayhawks basketball history under head coach Bill Self. The team started strong, opening the season with 13 wins in their first 14 games and beating UConn, Tennessee, and Kentucky. However, they struggled in the second half of the season, going 10-10 in their last 20 games, including 5-7 in their final 12. Their overall record of 23-11 and 10-8 in the Big 12 were the program's worst since Self took over in 2003.
The Jayhawks' struggles continued into the 2024-25 season, where they finished with a 21-13 record and 11-9 in the Big 12. This marked the first time in Self's career that he had lost double-digit games in back-to-back seasons. The team also suffered an early exit from the NCAA Tournament, losing in the second round to Gonzaga.
Several factors contributed to Kansas' down season, including injuries to key players like All-American forward Kevin McCullar Jr., who missed significant time with a bone bruise. Additionally, Self struggled to adapt to the changing landscape of the transfer portal, losing several players without having suitable replacements lined up. The NCAA investigation and subsequent sanctions, including a reduction in scholarships, also impacted the program's recruiting efforts.
Despite the disappointing season, Self remained focused on rebuilding the team. He made several additions to the roster for the 2024-25 season, including Loyola guard Jayden Dawson, Illinois guard Tre White, and St. Bonaventure wing Melvin Council. Self also shifted his recruiting priorities, targeting standout prospects like Ariza and Perry, to help the team return to its former glory.
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Poor recruitment strategy
Kansas Jayhawks' poor performance in the 2024-25 season has been attributed to a variety of factors, including a mass exodus of players, injuries, and a lack of depth in the roster. However, one of the critical issues that exacerbated the situation was the team's poor recruitment strategy.
Head coach Bill Self acknowledged the team's shortcomings, particularly their failure to recruit enough "firepower" to bolster the bench and address the depth issues. The lack of strategic recruitment resulted in a dearth of talent and a misfit within the roster, which further contributed to the disappointing season.
The Jayhawks' recruitment strategy seemed to be more of a quick-fix solution rather than a well-thought-out plan. For instance, their use of the NIL budget on the recruiting trail appeared promising, as they managed to land coveted transfer AJ Storr. However, Storr's underwhelming performance highlighted that the team's issues couldn't be solved by a single player. Storr's scoring average plummeted from 16.6 points per game the previous season to just 6.2 for the Jayhawks, indicating that the team's problems ran deeper than what one recruit could resolve.
Additionally, the Jayhawks seemed to have built a team that went against the trends in college basketball. While the game has increasingly focused on the arc, with teams emphasizing three-point shooting, KU inexplicably preserved a lineup that included players like Hunter Dickinson, KJ Adams, and Dajuan Harris, who may not have fit the modern game. This suggested a disconnect between the team's recruitment strategy and the evolving nature of college basketball.
As a result of these issues, Kansas is now facing a challenging period of transition. With several key players out of eligibility or entering the transfer portal, the team is essentially starting from scratch. However, this also presents an opportunity for the coaching staff to reassess their recruitment strategies and rebuild a roster that aligns with the modern game and the team's long-term success.
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Loss to Arkansas Razorbacks
The Kansas Jayhawks, who were ranked No. 1 in the preseason, suffered a disappointing loss to the Arkansas Razorbacks in the round of 64 of the NCAA Tournament. This marked the second time in the history of college basketball that a top-ranked team lost in the first round, with the other instance occurring in 2005 with the Kansas squad. The final score of the game was 79-72 in favour of Arkansas.
The game was a closely contested matchup, with Arkansas surging to an 11-point lead in the second half. However, Kansas displayed resilience and fought back, erasing the deficit and taking a 65-64 lead with less than six minutes remaining. The Jayhawks' lead changed hands multiple times, but crucial plays by the Razorbacks' Boogie Fland and Jonas Aidoo shifted the momentum. Aidoo's pair of free throws put Arkansas ahead for good with 2:14 left on the clock.
The Razorbacks' victory was sealed by their accuracy from the free-throw line in the closing moments. Johnell Davis, in particular, made several crucial free throws to extend their lead. Davis contributed 18 points overall, while Aidoo led the Razorbacks with a season-best and game-high 22 points. The win marked the third consecutive victory for Arkansas over Kansas in their meetings.
The loss for Kansas was compounded by an apparent Achilles tendon injury to KJ Adams, who had to leave the court with 3:10 remaining in the game. Adams contributed 13 points and four rebounds before his injury. The defeat marked the end of a challenging season for the Jayhawks, who struggled to find their footing despite their preseason ranking.
Following the loss, the Kansas Jayhawks experienced a mass exodus, with several players entering the NCAA transfer portal. This included highly coveted players like AJ Storr, who played one underwhelming season with the team. The loss and subsequent player departures prompted discussions about the state of the team and the need for a reboot.
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Future prospects
Despite the disappointing season, Kansas has every necessary ingredient to keep winning in college basketball's modern era. The Jayhawks have a top-tier coach, a strong tradition, ample resources, and a supportive fan base.
Bill Self and the Jayhawks' coaching staff have shifted their recruiting priorities and are hosting multiple elite prospects in the 2026 class. These include Maximo Adams, the younger brother of former KU player Marcus Adams, who is a four-star small forward and one of the biggest stock risers in the 2026 class. Other notable recruits include Perry, a 6-foot-4 hybrid guard, and Ethan Taylor, widely regarded as the top center in his class.
Kansas is also in the running to land one of the country's best forwards, Tajh Ariza, a consensus 5-star prospect and one of the most dominant players in high school basketball. Ariza's recruitment to Kansas is encouraged by the recent hire of assistant coach Tony Bland, who previously coached him at St. Bernard High School in California.
With a busy recruitment period ahead and a roster reset, the future prospects for Kansas basketball look promising, despite the challenges of the previous season.
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Frequently asked questions
Kansas basketball suffered a mass exodus of players in March 2025, with six Kansas Jayhawks entering the NCAA basketball transfer portal. This came after a disappointing season, which saw the Jayhawks lose to the Arkansas Razorbacks in the round of 64.
The exodus was likely triggered by the team's poor performance in the 2024-25 season. It was the worst-performing Bill Self team in his 22 seasons at Kansas.
Despite the setbacks, Kansas basketball has the necessary ingredients for success, including a top-tier coach, tradition, resources, and fan support. The team is also actively recruiting top prospects for the 2026 season, with several new targets emerging.
