
Kansas Basketball Prepares for 2026‑27 with Multiple Starting Five Options
A deep, versatile roster gives the Jayhawks flexibility, but the coach must balance ball‑handling, defense and shooting to find the optimal combination.
Latest Slidescroller coverage mentioning Melvin Council Jr. across Basketball.

A deep, versatile roster gives the Jayhawks flexibility, but the coach must balance ball‑handling, defense and shooting to find the optimal combination.

Former Kansas center Hunter Dickinson, a restricted free agent, will play for the New Orleans Pelicans in the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, bringing his rebounding prowess and scoring ability to a new professional environment.
Hunter Dickinson inks a two‑way contract with the New Orleans Pelicans, joining their summer league roster in Las Vegas after a standout college and G League season.
After going undrafted in the 2026 NBA Draft, Tre White has signed a free‑agent contract with the Miami Heat, hoping to translate his college shooting and rebounding stats into professional minutes.
After a standout season at Kansas, where he earned Big 12 Newcomer of the Year honors, Melvin Council Jr. has inked a deal with the New Orleans Pelicans, aiming to translate his college firepower into professional production.
The 2026 NBA Draft saw Kansas freshman Darryn Peterson selected second overall by Utah, while BYU’s AJ Dybantsa topped the board. Meanwhile, KU seniors Melvin Council Jr. and Tre White, both projected for the second round, remain uncertain about their professional futures.
The Utah Jazz selected Darryn Peterson with the No. 2 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, rewarding a college career that combined elite shooting with durability concerns.
Freshman forward Darryn Peterson, who battled multiple health setbacks, averaged 20.2 points per game and earned All‑Big 12 second‑team honors. As the 2026 NBA Draft approaches, his potential selection at No. 1 or a slight slide is generating considerable buzz.

Malique Ewin, a former Razorback standout, is exploring a transfer to Kansas. His eligibility for an extra NCAA season remains uncertain, casting doubt on a potential impact for the Jayhawks.
Coach Bill Self reflects on the significance of landing the top-ranked 2026 prospect, drawing parallels to last season's acquisition of Darryn Peterson, whose freshman year was hampered by health setbacks.
The Jayhawks open their summer program with a diverse mix of players, aiming to build on a 24‑11 season while navigating the challenges of modern recruiting and budget constraints.

A dozen projected first‑round picks have withdrawn from the NBA draft, choosing instead to return to college and reshape the competitive landscape for next year's NCAA campaigns.

Nearly a dozen high‑profile prospects have pulled out of the NBA draft, choosing to return to college and altering the roster landscape for dozens of programs across the country.

After a disappointing stretch since their 2022 national championship, the Jayhawks are overhauling their lineup with experienced transfers and fresh talent, hoping to regain depth and competitiveness.

After a disappointing 2025‑26 campaign, the Jayhawks are integrating key departures, high‑profile transfers and top recruits while hoping Coach Bill Self can once again develop championship‑caliber talent.

The Kansas basketball program is retooling with experienced portal additions and a highly touted freshman class, aiming to break a three‑year streak of early NCAA Tournament exits and establish a stable, competitive foundation.