By SAM LANCE & ADAM ZAGORIA
NEW YORK — Since the transfer portal opened up on March 22, five Kansas players have decided to put their names in and seek new opportunities. This includes big men Flory Bidunga and Zach Clemence, wings Rakease Passmore and Rylan Griffen, and point guard Diggy Coit.
Kansas coach Bill Self now has just a handful of players for next year’s roster. Expected returners include guards Elmarko Jackson and Jamari McDowell. Then, you have three high school prospects in Darryn Peterson, Bryson Tiller and Samis Calderon, who will be newcomers. Self has made it clear that Peterson will be given the “keys” to the program. But is Peterson worried about Kansas players leaving?
The short answer is no.
“I’ve been seeing a lot of guys enter,” Peterson said during McDonald’s All-American media day in response to a question from ZAGSBLOG. “I talked to coach [Self] today about it. He asked if I was worried about it. I told him ‘nah.’ His response was ‘you better not be.’ I’m coming to hoop. So that’s part of the game now. A lot of people are staying a lot of people are leaving.”
Kansas has reportedly conducted zoom meetings with portal talents like former Iowa guard Josh Dix, former UCF guard Keyshawn Hall, former Monmouth Abdi Bashir Jr., and a few other prospects in order to fill out the 2025-26 roster.
“For guys out there thinking about Kansas, definitely come play with us,” Peterson said. “It’s a great arena, great coach. We’re trying to win.”
Peterson added that Self seemed confident about building the roster moving forward.
“I got on the phone with him and he didn’t sound stressed at all,” Peterson said.
The Jayhawks will have several spots to fill, and Peterson, the projected No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, is a great cornerstone piece to build around. Kansas will be looking to avoid a repeat of last season, where the Jayhawks had the most losses under Self and were a No. 7 seed in March Madness.
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