AY2022-23 MBB Recruiting @2023-03-29

This Origin Post is updated throughout the year with the latest summary data for Kansas Men's Basketball recruiting as of the date shown in the Subject line. This one post gives the reader a snapshot of the known and rumored status of KUMBB recruiting as of that date. Subsequent posts in this thread will contain later information or comments as events unfold, but the data those posts contain will be summarized in this origin post as appropriate.

For your easy reference, you can click here to see last season's recruiting thread.
Enjoy!

REQUEST TO RCBers
In an effort to keep recruiting information and Q&As easily accessible in one thread, please consider posting your recruiting comments and questions for this recruiting season in this pinned thread.

Also, if you know of an error or omission, please let me know so I can correct it.

Thank you and ROCK CHALK JAY HAWK K U!
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ACADEMIC YEAR 2022-23 SIGNING PERIODS FOR D1 MEN'S BASKETBALL
Early Signing Period window: .... 2022-11-09 thru 11-16
Regular Signing Period window: 2023-04-12 thru 05-17
Source: NLI Future Signing Dates Prospective Student-Athletes Signing AY2022-23 and Enrolling AY2023-24

OTHER IMPORTANT DATES
SUNDAY 2023-04-23, 11:59 PM ET: NBA deadline to declare for 2023-06-22 draft (60 days out)
SUNDAY 2023-05-01, 11:59 PM ET: NCAA deadline for Fall and Winter sport athletes to enter the Transfer Portal and be eligible to play immediately next season. (Until further notice date is always May 1).
WEDNESDAY 2023-05-31, 11:59 PM ET: NCAA deadline to withdraw from draft and retain eligibility assuming no agent is hired or an NCAA certified agent is hired.*
Date is ten days after the final day of the annual NBA Draft Combine, scheduled for May 15-21, 2023. Note this date is NOT the same as the NBA's draft withdrawal deadline (5:00 PM ET 2023-06-12, 10 days before the NBA draft is held on 2023-06-22).
*With the new NCAA rules approved in August 2018, effective with the 2019 NBA Draft players can hire an NCAA certified agent and still return to school.

Sources:
NBA.com: Key Dates
InsideHigherEd.com: 'Committed Change' for Men's Basketball.


DEPARTING & RETURNING AY2022-23 PLAYERS and
RECRUITS for AY2023-24: Committed/Signed, Offered & Former
___________________________________________________________________________________
DEPARTING PLAYERS AFTER AY2022-23 ((S)cholarship, (W)alk-on, *past red shirt)
NB: Due to COVID19, the NCAA has approved an additional year of eligibility and another year to use it in for all AY2020-21 players. These “Super Seniors” did not count against original team scholarship limits for AY2021-22 to give programs some flexibility in transitioning to the new rule. All subsequent year Super Seniors will count against roster and scholarship totals.

GRADUATING “SUPER SENIORS” and SENIORS
SUPER SENIORS
None
SENIORS
G Kevin McCullar Jr* (S) On Senior Night said he will not be back (graduates May 2023)

PROJECTED EARLY ENTRANTS (EEs)
JR F Jalen Wilson* (S) On Senior Night said he will not be back (graduates May 2023)
SO G Gradey Dick (S) first round projection, NBA Lottery pick on some projections

TRANSFERRING OUT
F/C Cam Martin*++ (S) to apply for medical redshirt for lost AY2022-23 (graduates May 2023) (KUSports.com)

Bobby Pettiford Jr (S) RCB: Bobby leaving

F Zach Clemence (S) KUSports.com - Tait: Kansas sophomore Zach Clemence becomes third current Jayhawk to jump into transfer portal

G Joseph Yesufu (S)++ (graduates May 2023) KUSports.com - Tait: Kansas guard Joe Yesufu becomes 4th Jayhawk to enter the transfer portal

F MJ Rice (S) Latest loss to portal. KUSports.com: Rice 5th Jayhawk to enter portal
OTHER LOSSES
-
___________________________________________________________________________________
RETURNING PLAYERS and AY2023-24 STATUS by Class ((S)cholarship, (W)alk-on)
"SUPER" SENIORS (will count against program scholarship and roster limits)
G Michael Jankovich (W) (graduates May 2023)

SENIORS
G Dajuan Harris Jr* (S)+ (graduates May 2023)

JUNIORS
F KJ Adams Jr(S)
G Charlie McCarthy (W)

SOPHOMORES
G Kyle Cuffe Jr* (S)
C Ernest Udeh Jr (S)
C Zuby Ejiofor (S)
G Wilder Evans (W)
F Dillon Wilhite* (W)

RED SHIRT FRESHMEN
?

* Past red-shirt
+Super Senior eligible in the future, played at KU in AY2020-21, but will still count against the annual limits.
++Super Senior eligible in the future, played elsewhere AY2020-21, will count against the annual limit.

SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE
12 total scholarships allowed each AY (13-1 for AY2022-23, AY2023-24, AY2024-25) (link)
- 5 returning scholarship players (after known EEs/Transfers out)
= 7 openings (after known EEs/Transfers Out)
∴3 scholarships available as of update date (could be more depending on additional transfer out and/or EE decisions)
___________________________________________________________________________________
ACADEMIC YEAR 2022-23 KANSAS JAYHAWKS RECRUITING SYNOPSIS
Sources: Rivals, 247Sports, ESPN and others; National Rank & Ratings used are Rivals.
247Sports.com Top 2023 Recruits (lists 247 HS players)
ESPN Top 100 2023 Recruits
Rivals Top 150 2023 Recruits
Recruiting Services Consensus Index (RSCI)
To look up any of the players listed below, copy the players name, go to any of the above sites and paste the players name into that site's search window (for the RSCI, use your browser's "Find: function).
COMMITTED/SIGNEDCLASS RANKING as of 2023-03-07 (to be updated; 247 as noted after Adams, Jr reclass)
9 - Rivals @2023-03-22
5 - 247Sports.com @2023-03-22
13 - ESPN.com (as of 2023-01-23)
?? - RSCI - Not yet available
NB: ESPN does not yet include the impact of adding Marcus Adams Jr after his reclassifying to 2023.

NOTES and LEGEND for COMMITTED/SIGNED
(1) RSCI: 38; 247sports.com: 49/****; ESPN100: 32/****
(2) RSCI: 27; 247sports.com: 18/****; ESPN100: 28/****
(3) RSCI: 93; 247sports.com: 42/****; ESPN100: -/**** (not ranked in ESPN100, so **** are extrapolated)
(4) RSCI: NA; 247sports.com: 36/****; ESPN 100: NA
Adams Jr #2 confirms Reclass to 2023 (KUSports.com)

# Graduate transfer, 1 year of eligibility left
^ Transfer with 3 years left to play.
+ Transfer with 2 years to play
& JUCO recruit with 3 years eligibility left
% JUCO recruit with 2 years eligibility left


OFFERED (Multiple sources; where available, National Rank & Ratings are Rivals.)
The following list contains only recruits with a reported KANSAS offer (per Rivals, 247Sports, ESPN)
or a listing on JayhawkSlant's "Hoops Hot Board".
(NB: ! after Position indicates recruit is listed on JayhawkSlant's “Hoops Hot Board”; !! means despite no reported offer.)
"Interest" is Rivals reporting of Prospect's Interest in KU: High, Medium or Low.
FORMER RECRUITS (Rankings not updated once they are off KU's radar)

DocBlues with the news!

Rivals #55/****; 247sports.com: #33/****; ESPN100: #24/****

247Sports Evaluation 07/09/2022
by Adam Finkelstein, Director of Scouting

Johnson is a big guard with size and strength alike. He changes speeds, protects the ball at a high level going through the lane, and can score the ball in numerous ways inside the arc. He needs to keep progressing as a three-point threat with both inconsistent mechanics and a bit of a hard ball. Defensively, he has tools that should eventually be able to translate at a high level, although he has yet to make that end of the floor a consistent priority. Overall, he is confident, physical, and plays with an edge, that can be either a competitive advantage or disadvantage depending on how it is impacting him.

Dennis Evans III

Per Rivals update ...
Programs recruiting the five-star 17 year old 2023 7-1 center the hardest right now - Minnesota, TCU, Kansas, San Diego St and tu.

Winning program should have him on the roster for at least two seasons. Just turned 17 last month, so he will be too young to enter the 2024 NBA Draft.

Official KU visit set for Late Night in the Phog.

Comment from posters who have been following him...
“potential is through the roof”

“defensive ability has a chance to be special”

“When asked about what schools were recruiting him the first school mentioned was Kansas. When asked what player he would like to be like in the NBA he said Joel Embiid.”

I like what I’m reading.

Fingers crossed on this one as a November signee.

From SI back on June 30, 2022...
si.com: How the Wrong End of Mikey Williams’s Poster Dunk Fueled Dennis Evans III’s Rise

BTW, 247Sports ranks Evans #19 in their Top 247 for 2023 (#16 in their Composite rankings for 2023).

Methinks ESPN -- who does not have Evans in their Top 100 for 2023 at all -- needs to update their evaluations of the lad.

RCB: KUMBB 2023 Commitments News - McDowell and Jackson! + LATE NIGHT!

Period ends 11-16.

All 3 KANSAS commits are expected to sign this week.

COMMITTED/SIGNED

@9:30…

McDowell to sign @11:00.

Jackson 1:30.

No word on Johnson yet.

Elmarko Jackson signs with KANSAS!

From KUAthletics.com:

LAWRENCE, Kan. – Three guards – Elmarko Jackson (Marlton, New Jersey), Chris Johnson (Fort Bend, Texas) and Jamari McDowell (Manvel, Texas) – have signed National Letters of Intent to play basketball at Kansas, KU head coach Bill Self announced Wednesday. The three will be freshmen at KU for the 2023-24 season.

The Kansas class ranks 10th nationally according to 247sports.com.

“I feel like all three together give us probably about as good a trio that we have signed on the perimeter since maybe a Frank (Mason), Wayne Selden, Brannen Greene or a Mario Chalmers, Brandon Rush and Micah Downs. To me these three could fit in the same type of category as far as what their potential will be at KU,” Self said.

ELMARKO JACKSON, G, 6-3, 185, MARLTON, NEW JERSEY (SOUTH KENT SCHOOL [CONN.])
Known for his leadership skills, Jackson is a strong combo guard who committed to Kansas in October. Jackson is known for explosiveness on the court. He has good size, speed and terrific play-making ability. He is also a tough defender who can guard multiple positions and is explosive attacking the paint.

Jackson began his prep career at St. Augustine Prep in Richland, New Jersey. He then transferred to Academy of the New Church in Bryn Athyn, Pennsylvania. He earned all-state and all-league honors in 2021-22 where he averaged 17.9 points, 5.7 rebounds, 5.4 assists and 2.0 steals per game. Jackson will be playing his senior campaign at South Kent School in Connecticut.

Jackson is ranked No. 18 by 247Sports and No. 28 by ESPN100. He chose Kansas over Texas, Villanova, Miami, Notre Dame and others.

Bill Self on Jackson – “People may not know he’s only played organized basketball for three years and his skill level is well beyond his experience. He’s a 6’3” athlete that can make plays with the ball and can play above the rim. He is extremely explosive and a guy that has been well drilled, well taught in a short amount of time to put him in a position to potentially be a McDonald’s All American. We’re so excited to have him in camp and he’ll be one of those versatile guards that can play the point, but also can play anywhere off the ball as well. Coach (Norm) Roberts did a great job recruiting Elmarko and his family and we feel he will be an immediate impact player for us and potentially one of the best guards we’ve had in our program.”


CHRIS JOHNSON, G, 6-4, 180, FORT BEND, TEXAS (MONTVERDE ACADEMY [FLA.])
Johnson committed to Kansas in August. He is an explosive scorer who has deep range. He is physical, plays with an edge, and can score a variety of ways, and is a solid defender.

Johnson transferred to Montverde Academy in Florida for his senior season after earning All-Greater Houston honors at Elkin High School in Texas. He averaged 19.5 points, 5.0 assists and 4.7 rebounds for Elkin in 2021-22, where the team went 30-6.

Johnson played AAU basketball for the Houston Defenders along with fellow signee Jamari McDowell. Johnson is ranked No. 24 by ESPN100. He chose Kansas over Arkansas, Texas A&M, Texas, Auburn, TCU, Houston and others.

Bill Self on Johnson – “Chris is a very good high school player out of Houston who transferred his senior year to be at Montverde. In the short amount of time he’s been there, we understand his game has just grown tremendously. He was MVP of the big preseason tournament out in Las Vegas a couple weeks ago with many of the top high school prospects in America participating. He’s also a guy that can play point guard. He’s 6’4” and much like Elmarko, very versatile, can score, get his own shot but at the same time be a distributor. The thing that people rave about with him is that he could be an elite defender, an elite collegiate defender. Coach (Jeremy) Case did a great job recruiting Chris and his family and he and Elmarko and Jamari will all complement each other so well because they’re all similar but they’re so different because of their versatility.”


JAMARI MCDOWELL, G, 6-4, 180, MANVEL, TEXAS (MANVEL HIGH SCHOOL)
McDowell plays for Chris Wilson at Manvel High School in Manvel, Texas, a suburb of Houston. He can play all three perimeter positions. He has size and versatility on the perimeter, is athletic with a high motor. Some media outlets wrote McDowell will remind KU fans of Christian Braun and Ochai Agbaji from the 2022 NCAA National Championship team. McDowell orally committed to Kansas in September.

Last season Manvel posted a 19-5 record and McDowell averaged 21.7 points, 7.2 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 4.5 steals per game.

McDowell played AAU basketball for the Houston Defenders along with fellow signee Chris Johnson. McDowell is ranked No. 42 by 247Sports. He chose Kansas over Texas A&M, Xavier and Wake Forest among others.

Bill Self on McDowell – “Jamari is the best shooter of the three. He can make a shot with range. He’s got point guard skills and actually plays point guard for his respective high school team. At 6’4”, he’s got great size for his skillset and is a guy that I kind of see like as an Ochai (Agbaji) that you can throw lobs to and he’s a terrific three-point shooter. Coach Case recruited Jamari and his family as well.”

Kansas Men’s Basketball 2022-23 Signees
Elmarko Jackson – G, 6-3, 185, Marlton, New Jersey (South Kent School [Conn.])
Chris Johnson – G, 6-4, 180, Fort Bend, Texas (Montverde Academy [Fla.])
Jamari McDowell – G, 6-4, 180, Manvel, Texas (Manvel High School)

RCB: Marcus Adams Jr commits to KU -- but will he be 2023 or 2024?

The Origin Post has been updated to add his commitment (assuming he will be 2023), scrub the list of OFFERED for people who chose elsewhere (or Not KU) and updated the Recruiting Class Rankings.

Great, great news signing Adams!
Self was reportedly literally jumping for joy.
A phone call from Self today (Adams' announcement day) was reportedly the final straw that tilted the scale away from UCLA and toward KANSAS.

247Sports.com: Kansas lands top 30 wing Marcus Adams Jr

247Sports.com: What does Adams bring to KANSAS?

I also love how, assuming he does come this year, he potentially gives us as many as 5 "Juniors" on the floor at once --
Dajuan
KJ
Ernest
Marcus
Kyle
Bobby
are all Juniors (and KJ and Marcus are both Adams Jr! )

A nice treat for Jayhawks fans as we wait for the start of postseason play!

ROCK CHALK!

OP updated to reflect impact of confirmation of Marcus Adams Jr reclassification and portal entry of Cam & Bobby as noted in forum posts by replay and konza63.

OP still a WIP.

Don’t be surprised if more enter portal (e.g., Zach & Kyle).
I have no info to support that, just looking at history and ongoing talk of KU hitting portal… even though at present all 4 open rides for next year are spoken for.

www2.kusports.com/sports/college/basketb...nto-transfer-portal/

KU now has 1 ride available to get to 12 allowed for AY2023-24 season, most likely via transfer portal.

Best of luck to them all and THANK YOU for representing KU well.