Projecting Kansas Players Staying and Leaving After 2025 NCAA Tournament Bracket Loss

What began as such a promising season has ended with the Kansas Jayhawks bowing out in the first round of the 2025 men's NCAA tournament after falling to Arkansas, 79-72.

Led by a senior core, the Jayhawks were the No. 1 team in the AP preseason poll. Early victories over North Carolina, Michigan State and Duke seemed to back up the hype as KU bolted to a 7-0 start.

However, the losses began piling up with Kansas slipping to a 21-12 record and dropping to a seventh seed for the Big Dance.

The setback to Arkansas has tied an unceremonious bow on the season, but there's no question Bill Self and the Jayhawks will be busy looking for solutions in what's certain to become an active offseason.

Who's Staying

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Rylan Griffen

In short: Nothing but complementary pieces.

On the surface, that phrase might seem problematic. Because of Kansas' history, though, its prestige—and Self-led coaching staff—is still very attractive. We're not sounding the panic alarm.

Nevertheless, it's a big deal! Anyone averaging more than seven points is graduating, so KU's offense must be revamped this offseason.

Returning junior wings Rylan Griffen and AJ Storr, freshman big Flory Bidunga and freshman reserve Rakease Passmore would be a decent start for Kansas.

Elmarko Jackson, a half-year starter last season, pesumably will be healthy after a knee injury sidelined him, and Rice transfer Noah Shelby took a redshirt this season.

Second-unit guard David Coit, a former 20-point scorer at Northern Illinois, has said he'll be back for a super-senior campaign.

Who's Leaving

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Dajuan Harris Jr.

The preseason hype around KU happened in large part because of the four players the program now needs to replace.

Hunter Dickinson earned third-team AP All-American honors this season, averaging a double-double for the Jayhawks into the NCAA tournament. The fifth-year center will leave a substantial void in the post.

Additionally, top three-point shooter Zeke Mayo, leading passer Dajuan Harris Jr. and three-year starter KJ Adams Jr. have exhausted their eligibility.

Shakeel Moore, who started nine games this season after coming from Mississippi State, is also unable to return.

There's always the possibility of outgoing transfers, as well.

Who's on the Way

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Darryn Peterson

First, the players we know.

As part of the 2025 recruiting class, Kansas added 5-star guard Darryn Peterson. He's the nation's third-best prospect. The other signee is 4-star wing Samis Calderon, who is ranked 72nd in the cycle.

Barring any late additions to that group—and pending any outgoing transfers—the Jayhawks have a trio of scholarships to use within the portal.

So, this second part is the unknown.

Given the program's appeal and resources, though, rest assured KU will be targeting some big-name players on the transfer market.