The Jayhawks have officially landed their “superstar” piece for the 2026 season.
On the latest episode of the Pay Heed Podcast, hosts Nick Springer and Shreyas Laddha dive deep into the commitment of five-star phenom Tyran Stokes and what his arrival means for Bill Self’s squad.
The Price of Success
The duo engages in some “reckless speculation” regarding the Jayhawks’ NIL budget, estimating that KU has already spent upwards of 80% of its roster funds.
With high-profile additions like Stokes, Dawes, and Blyden Jr., the conversation shifts to how the team is navigating the “hyperinflation” of the current transfer market to build a title-contending rotation.
Sharpshooters Wanted
While the roster is taking shape, one glaring need remains: consistent perimeter shooting. Shreyas highlights two key names to watch for the final rotation spot:
Victorius Miller: The versatile Oklahoma State wing.
Abdy Bashir: The K-State transfer and elite marksman who Jerome Tang once called the best shooter in the country.
Can Bill Self mold a “pure shooter” into a reliable defender? The hosts debate whether the Jayhawks’ ceiling is higher than last year’s, even with a younger core.