Kansas eyes Isiah Harwell, a former five-star guard. His untapped potential and elite physical tools could be the Jayhawks' next big transfer portal swing.
Kansas Should Take a Chance on Isiah Harwell’s Untapped Potential
Kansas might not have been heavily involved in Isiah Harwell’s recruitment the first time around, but that should change quickly once the transfer portal opens.
The former five-star guard is expected to hit the portal on April 7 after a quiet freshman season at Houston, and this feels like exactly the type of upside swing Bill Self and his staff should be all over.
Harwell’s numbers don’t jump off the page. He averaged just 3.6 points and 2.0 rebounds while shooting under 30% from the field, and by the end of the season, he was barely in Houston’s rotation. But if you stop there, you’re missing the bigger picture.
This is still a former top-20 recruit and the highest-rated signee in Houston history. Players don’t just lose that kind of talent overnight.
At 6-foot-6 with a near 7-foot wingspan, Harwell has the exact physical tools Kansas looks for on the wing. Coming out of high school, he was known for his shot-making ability, especially in the mid-range, along with a high basketball IQ and defensive upside. Those traits don’t disappear; they just need the right system and confidence to come back out.
He dropped 20 points against Jackson State and had double-digit games in Big 12 play against Cincinnati and Baylor. In those moments, you could see why he was so highly ranked. The shot looked clean, the game slowed down, and the confidence was there. That’s where Kansas should come in.
Self has built a reputation on developing players and putting them in positions to succeed. If Harwell struggled to find consistency in Kelvin Sampson’s system, a fresh start in Lawrence could be exactly what he needs. Kansas also has a clear need for versatile wings who can score and defend, making the fit even more appealing.
The risk here is minimal, especially when you consider the potential NIL value compared to upside. If Harwell figures it out, you’re getting a former five-star talent at a discount. If not, it’s a low-cost gamble. Follow along for more JayhawksRoundtable Transfer Portal Targets!
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