Lawrence – After Kansas men’s basketball team banquet Last month, coach Bill Self gave a glimpse of what the team might be looking for in a hiring path.
My self said they were open to anything. This depends on the decisions that current Jayhawks make regarding their future and likely return, self-warning. But with guard Ochai Agbaji Heading into the upcoming NBA draft, Self thought he could use a sized guard who can shoot, a combo guard, or just a guard who can score.
As Self said then, though, many — if any — points that Kansas will have to fill in a transfer depends on who returns from the 2021-22 National Championship winning team. When the season ended, there were 11 Jayhawks scholarships who could technically return for another year, and four new students had already signed. This would put the Kansas two above the scholarship limit of 13 for the 2022-23 season, though it never seemed like Agbaje or Striker David McCormack They will use the additional year of eligibility granted to them due to the pandemic.
► Related:Ochai Agbaji, the Kansas basketball guard, has announced his participation in the 2022 NBA Draft
So, with the current Jayhawks not announcing their intention to move as of Monday morning, the focus then turns to the decisions Christian Braun and Jalen Wilson will make. Brown and Wilson, the rookie guard and second freshman last season, respectively, are currently testing the NBA draft with an open option to return to Kansas. They have until June 1 to decide whether to go professional or spend another year in college.
► Related:Kansas guard Christian Brown announces NBA draft, while maintaining eligibility
If Brown or Wilson leaves, or both leave, here are some transitions to think about who Self and his staff could turn to to fill the spot or available spots. Baylor Sherman, A potential client exploring relocation from South Dakota or becoming a professional was not included, as the Jayhawks were not included in Monday’s top five potential relocation destinations. Reports indicate that Sherman had KS in the top ten list.
Kevin McCullar
McCullar’s potential to become a Jayhawks Looking ahead, he rose dramatically on Sunday when he announced on Twitter that Kansas and Gonzaga were his two best options, should he return to college. McCullar, a rookie guard in a red jersey last season for Texas Tech, is among the candidates for early entry to the upcoming NBA Draft. He helped the Red Raiders reach the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Championship earlier this year.
McCullar, listed by Texas Tech at 6-foot-6, 210 pounds, has earned the All-Big 12 Conference recognition in the past two seasons as an honorable pick. He also reached the semi-finals in 2022 for the Naismith Award for Best Defensive Player. From 24 starts and 29 games last season, he averaged 10.1 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game.
McCullar, who stated in his announcement that playing in the NBA was a priority, hampered some with an injury when he was a rookie. If he’s healthy, McCullar – who hit 40.2% from the field and 31.1% from behind the arc last season – might be better able to be more dangerous offensively. Regardless, his defensive prowess would definitely be welcome.
more:Kevin McCullar, former technical guard, eyes NBA draft, potential college return to Kansas, Gonzaga
Isiaih Mosley
With Sunday’s report from Rivals’ Travis Graf, came more support for those who have linked Mosley to KS as a potential transfer. According to Graff, the Jayhawks are among some schools—including Texas Tech, Oklahoma, Texas, and more— Involved with Mosley. Mosley was a high school classmate of current Kansas goalkeeper Daguan Harris Jr., and a member of the same MOKAN Basketball AAU program was Harris and Brown.
Mosley, who is among the early entry candidates for the upcoming NBA draft, is out of the Missouri junior season. Listed as a 6-foot-5, 194-pound goalkeeper, Mosley averaged 20.4 points, 6.2 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game across 34 appearances that included 32 starts. He helped the Bears appear in the National Invitational Championship in 2022, and for the second year in a row is the All-Missouri Valley Conference, the first-team selection.
Mosley, who was referred to by Brown on Twitter as the top scorer in the country, sure knows how to strike and would surely fit that profile that Self is looking for with the Jayhawks. As a senior, Mosley hit 50.4% of his shots from the field and 42.7% of his shots from behind the arc. This is all on top of the fact that he hit 90.2% of his attempts from the free throw line.
more:It is said that these schools have been chasing Isiah Mosley since entering the transport gate
Therese Hunter
Last week, Hunter included Kansas in his top six along with Tennessee, Louisville, Gonzaga, Texas and Purdue. He’s clearly the least experienced between McCullar, Moseley and himself I just completed a freshman campaign in Iowa. However, given that Hunter was a four-star 247Sports Composite recruit from high school and a potential Top 40, there was no doubt that Hunter had talent worthy of attention.
Hunter, who is listed in the Cyclones as a 6-foot-178-pound guard, earned the nod as a freshman in the Big 12 of the year this past season. Hunter, a member of the Big 12 freshman team, averaged 11 points, 4.9 assists, and 3.5 rebounds per game. He started all 35 competitions he’s played for the Iowa State team that also made it to Sweet 16.
more:Iowa basketball star goalkeeper Therese Hunter enters the transfer gate
Shooting the ball may not have been a hunter’s strength, considering he was only 39.1% from the field, 27.4% from behind the arc and 68.7% from the free throw line. But it is clear that he is still showing his presence in the matches, and will have time to develop further. According to Matt Norlander of CBS Sports, Hunter and McCullar are among those exploring a transfer option seeking significant NIL compensation.
Jordan Guskey covers the University of Kansas Athletics in The Topeka Capital-Journal. Contact him at jmguskey@gannett.com or on Twitter at @JordanGuskey.