Bill Self Has More Depth to Work With After Tre White’s Return
Kansas basketball received an unexpected boost when Tre White announced his return to the Jayhawks for the 2026-27 season. For head coach Bill Self, bringing back a player with a full season of experience in Lawrence gives Kansas another important piece as the team prepares for the upcoming season.
White’s return became possible after he received a temporary restraining order that allows him to remain eligible while the legal process continues. Kansas officially announced his return on social media Friday, ending weeks of uncertainty surrounding his future.
Self said White has been working throughout the offseason and believes his experience will be valuable for the Jayhawks.
“He brings experience, but he also brings talent, leadership, depth, and competition in practice every day,” Self said.
That depth could be one of the biggest benefits of White’s return.
During the 2025-26 season, White started all 35 games and averaged 13.5 points and 6.7 rebounds per game. He also shot 40.3% from three-point range, giving Kansas a player who can contribute in several different areas.
White’s ability to play multiple positions also gives Self more options when constructing his lineups. At 6-foot-7, White can provide size on the perimeter while still having the ability to score from outside and attack the basket.
Kansas enters the season with several younger players expected to take on larger roles. Having White back gives Self another experienced player who already understands the expectations of playing at Kansas and within his system.
His presence could also make practices more competitive. Younger players will have an opportunity to compete against someone who has already played a major role for the Jayhawks, potentially helping them develop before the regular season begins.
White’s return does create some decisions for Self. Kansas now has another proven player competing for minutes on the wing, meaning the coaching staff will have to determine how White fits alongside the rest of the roster.
Those decisions could ultimately give Kansas more lineup flexibility rather than creating a problem. Self can use White in different combinations depending on the opponent, allowing the Jayhawks to adjust their size, shooting and defensive personnel.
White also returns with additional experience after spending part of the summer with the Miami Heat organization and playing in the NBA Summer League. Self noted that White had a successful summer before deciding to return to Kansas.
For a Kansas team with several new pieces, White’s familiarity could be just as important as his statistics.
His return gives Self another scorer, rebounder, defender and leader while adding competition to the roster.
After an offseason filled with uncertainty, Kansas now has one more proven player to work with. White’s return gives Self additional depth and another option as he begins putting together the Jayhawks’ rotation for the 2026-27 season.
JOIN THE COMMUNITY
Don't miss out on our ROUNDTABLE community and the latest news
It's completely free to join, simply by clicking the yellow button at the top of the homepage. Share your thoughts, engage with our ROUNDTABLE writers, and chat with fellow members
Jimmy Adeniran is a contributor to JayhawksROUNDTABLE. He can be reached at [email protected]
