What hoops players are left in portal for KU to consider? Here are some possibilities

Kansas, which has three vacancies to fill on its 2023-24 men’s basketball roster, still has 3 1/2 weeks to add a few players before the start of summer school drills on June 6.

The Jayhawks have lost eight players (Zach Clemence, Kyle Cuffe, Zuby Ejiofor, Cam Martin, Bobby Pettiford, MJ Rice, Ernest Udeh, Joseph Yesufu) to the NCAA transfer portal since the conclusion of the 2022-23 season. KU has added three players from that same portal: Hunter Dickinson (Michigan), Arterio Morris (Texas) and Nick Timberlake (Towson).

The nine scholarship players currently on the 2023-24 roster include the three portal additions plus incoming freshmen Marcus Adams, Elmarko Jackson, Chris Johnson and Jamari McDowell as well as returning starters KJ Adams and Dajuan Harris. KU has 12 available scholarships, one taken away for the next three recruiting classes due to self-imposed sanctions in the NCAA’s case against KU hoops.

Many recruiting analysts thought KU’s roster would jump to 10 scholarship players Friday. However top 10- rated high school senior forward Mackenzie Mgbako surprised the recruiting world by selecting Indiana over the Jayhawks.

In the aftermath of Mgbako’s decision, some KU fans have been wondering what remaining prospects in the portal or high school recruiting Class of 2023 could conceivably be late additions to the team.

Over the weekend, KU entertained Flory Bidunga, a 6-9, 220-pound senior-to-be from Kokomo (Indiana) High School who is ranked No. 2 in the Class of 2024 by Rivals.com and No. 3 by 247sports.com.

There has been speculation Bidunga might switch from the recruiting Class of 2024 to 2023. However, on May 2, he rejected that talk by telling 247sports.com: “I am not reclassifying.”

He has visited KU, Indiana, Auburn and Florida. Kentucky and others are also on his list.

“I just have to find a place that feels like home, a good coaching staff and a place I can play right away,” Bidunga told 247sports.com.

There are several players still available in the transfer portal, including some that have entered their names in the 2023 NBA Draft. Deadline is May 31 for players to withdraw from the draft if they wish to keep their college eligibility.

• Guard Kevin McCullar, a 6-6, 210-pound starter on last year’s KU team, has entered his name in the draft with one year of collegiate eligibility remaining. He has not ruled out the possibility of returning to KU, though he’s indicated a strong desire to begin his pro career.

A guarantee from an NBA team that he’ll be taken in the second round or promise of a two-way free agent contract likely would keep McCullar in June 22 draft in Brooklyn, New York.

• Grant Nelson, 6-11, 235 senior-to-be from North Dakota State University, who according to 24/7 High School Hoops has heard from KU, has entered his name in the NBA Draft pool and NCAA transfer portal and like McCullar will attend this week’s NBA Combine in Chicago. Reportedly he’s leaning toward remaining in the draft.

Nelson, a first-team all-Summit League pick and member of that league’s all-defense team, averaged 17.9 points, 9.3 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.7 blocks a game in 2022-23.

“Nelson is explosive in straight lines, with good size, and his 72.0% free throw shooting showed he is capable of knocking down threes at a higher clip than his 26.9% from three showed last season,” wrote Jamie Shaw of On3.com. “Nelson was invited to the NBA Draft combine. Will he get the draft promise he is looking for?” Shaw added.

Nelson reportedly has heard from KU, Baylor, Gonzaga, Arkansas, Texas Tech, Villanova, Kentucky, Nebraska, Arizona, Alabama and others.

Nelson scored 11 points on 3-of-10 shooting (1-of-5 from three and 4-of-6 from line) grabbed nine rebounds and blocked two shots (with five turnovers) in an 82-59 blowout loss to KU last November in Allen Fieldhouse.

“While he’s just a 30.7% career 3-point shooter, that’s enough to pull opposing bigs away from the basket. At 6-10 and 235 pounds, he may struggle defensively against some opposing bigs at the power conference level. But his offensive tools are attractive,” wrote David Cobb of CBSsports.com.

• Former Creighton power forward Arthur Kaluma, 6-7, 225 junior-to-be from Glendale, Arizona, also has entered his name in both the portal and NBA Draft pool.

Kaluma averaged 11.8 points and 6.0 rebounds a game for Creighton in the 2022-23 season.

“Arthur Kaluma entered the portal on Thursday, the final day possible. He has been invited to the NBA Combine, where he will see that process through,” wrote Shaw of On3.com. “He entered the season being talked about as a potential first-round pick. He is currently being mocked by some as a mid to late second-round pick,” Shaw added.

As a high schooler, Kaluma chose Creighton over KU, Arizona, Syracuse and others. He reportedly also is learning toward staying in the draft.

“He possesses great size and offensive ability inside the arc,” wrote Cobb of CBSsports.com. “He’s just a career 29.1% three-point shooter but is a quality defender with loads of high-level experience under his belt. He is exploring the NBA Draft but would be an immediate impact player if he chooses to return to college basketball,” Cobb added.

Kaluma, who has a wingspan just under 7-feet and 32-inch vertical, scored 27 points against BYU, 20 versus Xavier, and 19 and 18 points in two meetings with Villanova.

• Tennessee’s Julian Phillips, 6-8, 200 sophomore-to-be forward out of Link Academy in Missouri, is also in both the portal and draft. The former McDonald’s All-American originally from Blythewood, South Carolina, averaged 8.3 points and 4.7 rebounds per game in 2022-23. He hit 11 of 46 threes for 23.9% and hit 41.1% of his shots overall.

Phillips is rated as the best defender in the country, according to evanmiya.com.

“He’s long, rangy and versatile. Though his three-point shot needs work (23.9%), Phillips is an elite defender and offensive role player,” wrote Shaw.

“Julian Phillips came to Tennessee with a lot of hype. He was a McDonald’s All-American and a five star. He was projected, in most mock drafts, as a first-round draft pick coming into last season. The South Carolina native has since dropped out of the first round in most mock drafts. Phillips plans to see the full draft process through,” Shaw said of Phillips, who considered KU, Auburn and others during his senior year of high school. He was ranked No. 14 in the Class of 2022 by Rivals.com.

• Adrame Diongue, 7-0, 200 sophomore-to-be formerly of Washington State, has entered the portal. He originally chose WSU over KU, Kentucky, Texas Tech and UNLV. A native of Senegal, he averaged 1.3 points (on 53% shooting) and 1.8 rebounds in limited duty his freshman season.

“Diongue was the projected starting center for the Cougars this season (2023-24) and replacing him will immediately become the biggest priority for the WSU staff,” wrote Bryce Hendrick of cougcenter.com.

“A few NBA scouts I spoke with are high on Adrame Diongue’s upside. At 7-0 tall with a 7-6 wingspan he shrinks the floor defensively and protects the rim with quick bounce. A lot to work with if healthy,” ESPN.com analyst Paul Biancardi wrote on Twitter last season.

• Aziz Bandaogo, 7-0, 230 junior-to-be from Utah Valley, is in the portal but won’t be eligible in 2023-24 (unless he receives a waiver) because he also played two seasons at Akron. He averaged 11.5 points and 10.4 boards in 2022-23 at Utah Valley. He had 105 blocked shots and was WAC defensive player of the year.

Bandaogo elected to leave Utah Valley in response to Utah Valley’s Mark Madsen taking the Cal head coaching job

“Since entering the transfer portal, Bandaogo is reportedly getting heavy interest from Illinois, Duke, Cincinnati, Kansas, St. Johns, LSU, Seton Hall, Vanderbilt, Cal, and others,” wrote Illinois.rivals.com.

• Former Oklahoma State big man Moussa Cisse, 7-1, 220 senior-to-be from Conakry, Guinea, is in the portal after averaging 6.8 points and 8.0 rebounds a year ago. He blocked 62 shots. He transferred to OSU from Memphis thus will have to sit a year before playing again in 2024-25 unless receiving a waiver. Kansas State, Alabama, Arkansas, UCLA and Mississippi have reportedly expressed interest.

• RayJ Dennis, 6-2 senior-to-be who has entered the NBA Draft and the portal, started his career at Boise State and played the last two years at Toledo.

A native of Plainfield, Illinois, Dennis averaged 19.5 points in 2022-23. He hit 53 of 145 threes for 36.6%. Overall he cashed 48.4% of his shots. He had 202 assists to 68 turnovers.

Illinois is reportedly the favorite to land Dennis, who reportedly has heard from Indiana and others.

“Dennis is also the last, best option in the portal,” wrote the Champaign-Urbana News-Gazette. “Sure, there are point guards going through the pre-draft process who have graduated and could still decide to return to college basketball and make a move. But that’s banking on the hope of a chance. Of the realistic current options, the pickings are slim beyond Dennis. Lead guards are a hot commodity on the market, and most of the best have already found a new basketball home.”

• Olivier Nkamhoua, 6-9 senior-to-be forward, who has decided to leave Tennessee after four seasons, also has his name in the NBA Draft. He averaged 10.8 points (on 51.3%) and 5.0 rebounds a game last season.

He scored 27 points against Duke in the NCAA Tournament and 27 points against Texas in the regular season.

Originally from Finland, he reportedly has heard from Michigan, Kentucky and others. Michigan is considered the early favorite.

As a graduate transfer he’ll be immediately eligible.

“Nkamhoua is a stretch big man with a smooth offensive skill set who averaged 10.8 points on 51.3% shooting for an offensively challenged Tennessee team. He’s big enough to play the five in most systems but versatile enough to defend power forwards and some wings. If he played 30 minutes per game in an open, fast-paced system, Nkamhoua could average 13 or 14 points per game as a solid two-way player,” wrote Cobb of CBSsports.com.

• Former Kentucky forward Daimion Collins, 6-9, 210 junior-to-be from Atlanta, is in the portal after playing sparingly in 20 games his soph season for the Wildcats. He was a five star coming out of high school.

“Considering how productive Keion Brooks (Washington) and Bryce Hopkins (Providence) were in 2022-23 after transferring away from Kentucky, it would be wise to keep an eye on Collins,” wrote Cobb. “He was a five-star prospect in the Class of 2021 but struggled to carve out a steady role with the Wildcats. Collins had to deal with the death of his father this past season and may simply need a fresh start to build on his immense potential as an athletic 6-9 forward.”

There’s talk Collins may have Wichita State on his list. Coming out of high school Rivals.com’s No. 19-rated player considered KU, Kentucky, Oklahoma, Texas and Texas Tech.

“Collins averaged 7.5 minutes per game as a freshman and saw roughly the same amount of time per game as a sophomore. He averaged 1.9 points and 1.9 rebounds per game as an above the rim leaper on both ends of the court,” wrote Justin Rowland of catsillustrated.com.

“He was coveted by John Calipari because of his shooting touch for his size, his shot blocking ability, and how he plays above the rim on both ends of the court, but struggled to get on the court as his strength and body continued to develop and with the returning National Player of the Year in front of him at center,” Rowlandd added.

• Tyrin Lawrence, 6-4, 200 senior-to-be who has left Vanderbilt for the portal as well as the NBA Draft, is a graduate of Sunrise Christian Academy in Bel Aire, Kansas. He averaged 13.1 points, 4.4 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 29.0 minutes per game last season, He hit 50.2% of his shots and was 36% from three. KU, Missouri, Auburn, Georgia, Mississippi, Indiana and others have been mentioned as possibilities.

“Bill Self landed fantastic Towson transfer Nick Timberlake, but Kansas needs more depth in the backcourt with Kevin McCullar’s status still in limbo,” wrote Isaac Trotter of 247sports.com. “Plus, who doesn’t want to play with a point guard like Dajuan Harris who spoon-feeds easy buckets for breakfast, lunch and dinner. NIL isn’t a problem, either.”

• Former Arizona State center Warren Washington, 7-0, 220 originally from Escondido, California, has entered the portal. He averaged 9.2 points and 6.9 boards in his one year at ASU. He’s also played at Oregon State and Nevada.

“Washington is hunting for his fourth school to round out a six-year college career after stops at Oregon State, Nevada and Arizona State. He’s a proven starting-caliber frontcourt option, which fills a hole a lot of teams still have, making him one of the most sought-after players still on the board. Washington has visited TCU and Texas Tech and is also considering Oklahoma State, Michigan and Memphis,” wrote the Portal Report.”

• Andrew Taylor, 6-3, 190 senior-to-be put up big numbers his senior year at Marshall. He is in the portal after averaging 20.0 points, 4.7 assists and 4.7 rebounds a game for the Thundering Herd.

“A four-year starter at Marshall, Taylor hit the portal this week and is expected to garner considerable high-major interest,” wrote SI.com. “This is the type of point guard upgrade many big-time programs are looking for at this point in the offseason, and if nothing else Taylor provides value as a high-level shooter capable of making shots both off the catch and off the dribble.”

• It could be too late for KU to get involved with Keshad Johnson, 6-7, 230 senior-to-be who has left San Diego State for the portal. In 2022-23 he averaged 7.7 points and 5.0 rebounds in 22 minutes a game. He hit 53.2% of his shots.

“A starter on the Aztecs team that made the national championship game, Johnson is being recruited by some of the sport’s heaviest hitters as a plug-and-play rotation piece,” wrote SI.com. “Johnson’s somewhat limited offensively as a position-locked power forward who has made just 28 career threes, but he’s a high-level defender and glue guy who could help a team with ball-dominant guards. Arizona, Kentucky, USC, Oklahoma and Texas Tech are in the running for his services.” Those schools in fact are his finalists announced prior to Ernest Udeh’s entering the portal last week.

• Former Cincinnati guard Mika Adams-Woods, 6-3, 180 senior-to-be who has entered his name in the portal, averaged 9.1 points and 3.2 assists per game last season. The Syracuse, New York native hit 36.6% of his threes.

“Quality ballhandling options are few and far between at this point in the portal, so Adams-Woods’s late entry makes him a valued commodity,” wrote SI.com. “He’s more game manager than high-level shot creator but steadily has improved as an outside shooter to 37% this past season and had 115 assists against just 53 turnovers last season. The upstate–New York native should garner plenty of interest.”

• Former UCLA center Mac Etienne, 6-10 junior-to-be originally from New York City, has entered the portal. He played 6.8 minutes per game in 2022-23 and averaged 1.3 points and 1.9 rebounds.

“Etienne, who came to UCLA from Suffield (Connecticut) Academy, enrolled early at UCLA in the pandemic-affected 2020-2021 season. In what should have been his high school senior season, Etienne played in 13 games, averaging 11.3 minutes, 2.6 points and 2.8 rebounds while flashing some potential,” wrote Tracy Pierson of 247sports.com. “However, at the beginning of the 2021-2022 school year he suffered an ACL tear, so he sat out the season and utilized his redshirt. His return to action was a bit protracted, still not 100% to begin last season while wearing a brace on his knee. He was generally used as the third option at the center position, behind Adem Bona and Ken Nwuba.

“Etienne perhaps received his most attention when he was arrested in February of 2022 for spitting on belligerent Arizona fans while leaving the court at McKale Arena after UCLA’s loss to the Wildcats. He was assigned to complete a diversion program after receiving a misdemeanor assault charge,” Pierson added.

• The highest ranked uncommitted high school player in the Class of 2023 is Ron Holland, 6-8, 185 senior forward out of Duncanville (Texas) High School. He recently decommitted to Texas and still is seeking a release from his letter-of-intent.

Ranked No. 5 in the Class of 2023 by Rivals.com, Holland is said to be favoring Arkansas over the G League Ignite program. He’s also had UCLA, Kentucky, Houston, Auburn and Memphis on his list.

“Talking to sources from around the situation, it looks like the only school that really feels that they might have a shot to land his services is Arkansas,” writes Joe Tipton of On3.com. “It looks like Arkansas would be the front-runner if he decides to go to school.”