Since winning their fourth NCAA Tournament in 2022, the Kansas Jayhawks have struggled to achieve significant postseason success. Although consistently making the NCAA Tournament is no small feat, they have failed to advance past the second round for four consecutive seasons.
Despite bringing in a bumper crop of recruits from the transfer portal and high school ranks, Kansas continues to endure a string of disappointing NCAA Tournament exits. This trend concerns many, given Kansas’s expectation to contend for the national championship each season.
3 Players Kansas Head Coach Bill Self Should Pursue in the Transfer Portal
Unlike in previous seasons, the transfer portal period has not favored Kansas. The Jayhawks are expected to part ways with freshman sensation Darryn Peterson ahead of his entry into the 2026 NBA Draft. Still, the team suffered a bigger blow when seven more players announced their intentions to transfer.
As of posting time, Flory Bidunga (Louisville) and Samis Calderon (Butler) have found new homes, while Bryson Tiller, Paul Mbiya, Elmarko Jackson, Jamari McDowell, and Jayden Dawson remain available on the portal. The mass exodus has prompted Self and the Kansas coaching staff to explore the portal to replenish talent for the 2026-27 season.
With this in mind, here are three players Self should target during the final week of the transfer portal period.
Keanu Dawes, Utah
Kansas has shown strong interest in securing Dawes’ commitment since the Utah forward announced his intention to enter the transfer portal. According to Dawes’s agent, Brandon Grier, the 6’9″ forward is scheduled to visit the Jayhawks’ campus.
Dawes broke out for the Utes this past season, averaging 12.5 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 2.2 assists in 32 games. He shot 54.6% from the field and 31.7% from the free-throw line. His physicality could be a major asset for Kansas, which is rebuilding its frontline after the departures of Bidunga and Calderon.
SEE ALSO: Michigan State Transfer Portal Targets: 2 Players Tom Izzo and the Spartans Should Pursue
Anton Bonke, Charlotte
Bonke posted strong numbers during his stint with Charlotte in the 2025-26 season. The 7’2″ center started in 32 of 34 games for the 49ers, averaging 10.6 points, 8.3 rebounds, 1.0 assists, and 1.5 blocks per game.
What is surprising about the Port Vila, Vanuatu-born big man is his soft touch from beyond the arc. Bonke, who shot 57.6% from the field this past season, made 13 of 38 attempts from way downtown for the 49ers. If he commits to Kansas, Self will have a center capable of opening the lane with his long-range shooting.
Eric Reibe, UConn
Reibe showed what he can do as part of the UConn men’s basketball team, which finished as the runner-up to Michigan in the national championship final. He played in 40 games for the Huskies this past season, mostly as a backup to starter Tarris Reed Jr., averaging 5.9 points and 3.3 rebounds in 13.3 minutes.
The former McDonald’s All-American, who shot 65.8% from the field, showed promise in a limited role for UConn, starting five games while Reed was sidelined and averaging 12.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks per game.
Incidentally, Kansas was among the finalists in Reibe’s initial recruitment process. With the German big man now in the transfer portal, the Jayhawks may rekindle their interest and secure their first commitment from the portal.
