Jayhawks face another major roster shake-up as Jamari McDowell joins a growing exodus, leaving Kansas rebuilding from the ground up.
Kansas Jayhawks Hit Again By Portal Losses As Jamari McDowell Departs
Another player has entered the transfer portal at Kansas, and at this point, it’s becoming the story of the offseason in Lawrence.
Kansas Jayhawks men's basketball guard Jamari McDowell has entered the transfer portal, becoming the fifth Jayhawk to leave in the past week. The redshirt sophomore spent three years in the program, appearing in two seasons after missing 2024 with an injury.
McDowell never put up big numbers — just 3.3 points per game on 36% shooting this season — but he carved out a role as an energy guy off the bench. He brought toughness, length at 6-foot-5, and moments of defensive intensity that this roster didn’t always have. Still, the bigger picture matters here.
His departure follows Flory Bidunga, Elmarko Jackson, Bryson Tiller and Paul Mbiya, leaving Kansas with just four returning scholarship players as things stand. That number could shrink even further with Darryn Peterson likely testing the NBA waters.
At this point, the roster isn’t just being tweaked, it’s being completely rebuilt.
The timing lines up with the portal officially opening, which gives KU a chance to immediately start reshaping the roster. But there’s no sugarcoating it: this is a massive reset. Bill Self and his staff aren’t just adding pieces this spring; they’re building almost from scratch.
Kansas guard Elmarko Jackson to enter transfer portal after three seasons
Kansas is set to lose another piece of its roster. Guard Elmarko Jackson plans to enter the transfer portal when it opens Tuesday, according to reports Monday. The redshirt sophomore spent three seasons in Lawrence, appearing in 68 games after missing one year with a knee injury.
Jackson averaged 4.8 points per game this season but carved out his role as Kansas’ top perimeter defender. He became a trusted piece on that end of the floor and was widely respected inside the locker room.
A former four-star recruit and McDonald’s All-American, Jackson will have two years of eligibility remaining.
His departure continues a busy offseason for the Jayhawks, as he becomes the fourth player expected to leave the program. Kansas now has just five scholarship players with eligibility who have not announced plans for next season — Corbin Allen, Samis Calderon, Kohl Rosario, Jamari McDowell and Darryn Peterson, who could still test the NBA Draft.
Another roster rebuild is underway in Lawrence.
Kansas Freshman Center Paul Mbiya Will Enter The Transfer Portal
Kansas men's basketball received some more transfer portal news on Monday morning. Jayhawks freshman center Paul Mbiya intends to enter the transfer portal when it opens tomorrow, according to multiple sources.
Mbiya, listed at 7’0”, 245 pounds, averaged 1.2 points and 1.4 rebounds per game while shooting 68.8% from the field this season for the Jayhawks. The former four-star recruit is from Kinshasa, D.R. Congo.
Although he didn't see the court much this season, he was a key piece in March Madness and was expected to have an increased role next season. Mbiya joins Bryson Tiller and Flory Bidunga in the transfer portal.
Kansas Forward Bryson Tiller Plans To Enter The NCAA Transfer Portal
The second domino in the transfer portal has fallen for Kansas men's basketball. Kansas freshman forward Bryson Tiller plans to enter the transfer portal, Joe Tipton of On3 reports.
The freshman big man started 31 games as a freshman in the Big 12 Conference and averaged roughly 8 points per game. The NCAA transfer portal for men's college basketball officially opens tomorrow, April 7th.
Although Kansas head coach Bill Self is not retiring and coaching next season for the Jayhawks, two players have still entered the portal.
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