Although Kansas hasn’t won a national championship in more than a decade, the Jayhawks’ sustained success continues to command respect.
Some analysts even expect the Jayhawks to remain among the nation’s elite for the foreseeable future. A recent CBS article echoed that sentiment, projecting Kansas to be the top program over the next 25 years.
The program earned the top ranking thanks to its tradition of elite coaching, with expectations that standard will continue even after the Bill Self era.
"No program has been kissed by the basketball gods more gently than Kansas," the article wrote. "It has been led by a Hall of Fame coach for more than 40 years now — from Larry Brown to Roy Williams and now Bill Self — and I suspect that trend will continue for decades more."
Over his tenure, Self has compiled an impressive 624-156 record and earned an NCAA tournament berth in each of his 22 seasons with the Jayhawks. He has also lost only 16 times at Allen Fieldhouse.
Though the end of Self’s Kansas career may be approaching, coaches will be lining up for the chance to lead the next chapter of the program’s storied legacy.
"While Self may be in the twilight of his career, KU has the history and the financial backing to pluck any coach from their post. This is a top-three program in college basketball and it will continue to recruit at a high level and win at a clip commensurate with its ranking."
Landing five-star point guard Taylen Kinney would only add to Kansas’ reputation for blockbuster recruiting signings.
Bill Self, Kansas In the Running For Son Of NBA Champion For 2026
Kansas has its eyes on Tajh Ariza, a rising scorer in the 2026 class and the son of ex-NBA champion Trevor Ariza.
The Jayhawks offered the five-star wing in December 2023, but his recruitment became priority upon the recent hiring of assistant coach Tony bland in August. Bland previously coached Ariza at St. Bernard High School, where the two spent two seasons together before Ariza transferred and Bland left for Washington.
Now at St. John Bosco High School, Ariza is among the most versatile prospects in the 2026 class. At nearly 6-foot-10 he can score from anywhere on the floor and shows polished fundamentals, no doubt influenced by his father.
The five-star wing is scheduled to take an official visit to Lawrence later this month. Ariza cancelled his scheduled trip to North Carolina this weekend, hosted in-home visits with Kentucky and Texas, and recently completed visits to Oregon and USC.
Beating out programs like USC and Oregon won’t be easy for Kansas being that he is a west coast native. With no 2026 commitments on the board, the Jayhawks may have to throw everything at securing a talent like Ariza.
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