Kansas head coach Bill Self has been busy evaluating the newest addition to his roster, sophomore guard Leroy Blyden Jr., who arrived on campus after a stint at Toledo.
Self praised Blyden's shooting range, noting that the 6‑1 guard can stretch the floor in a way that reminds him of former Jayhawk star Devonte' Graham, and also highlighted his knack for grabbing offensive rebounds.
Graham's own college career at Kansas was marked by rapid development, culminating in All‑American honors during the 2017‑18 season, and Self said he sees a similar growth path for Blyden if he can continue to improve.
With the Jayhawks looking to solidify a starting lineup, Blyden is expected to battle for a spot in the rotation, even as the program welcomes incoming freshmen Tyran Stokes and Taylen Kinney.
The team's recent success — reaching the Big 12 Conference tournament semifinals and advancing to the NCAA tournament's round of 32 last season — provides a backdrop of optimism for the new guard.
The discussion of Blyden's potential was captured in a recent piece by Jordan Guskey, who covers University of Kansas Athletics for The Topeka Capital‑Journal.
Self's comparison to Graham
Self described Blyden as having more range than Graham and being a strong offensive rebounder, emphasizing that the sophomore's skill set could complement the Jayhawks' evolving style of play.