Kansas Basketball Coach Bill Self Considers Redshirting Players Amid Roster Depth

The Kansas Jayhawks men’s basketball team, now at its full allotment of 13 scholarship players following the completion of NCAA-imposed scholarship restrictions, is evaluating potential redshirt candidates for the upcoming season.

Head coach Bill Self indicated today that no decisions regarding redshirting will be made immediately, stating, “I don’t anticipate dealing with any of that until right up until the actual start of the games.” He expressed a desire for a system similar to college football, which allows players to participate in up to four games without forfeiting a year of eligibility. The increased roster depth is a significant shift for the program, which has faced challenges with player availability in recent years.

Freshman guard Corbin Allen, the all-time leading scorer at Oak Park High School, and Brazilian forward Samis Calderon are considered potential candidates. While Allen faces a crowded backcourt, Calderon’s versatility might warrant keeping him active despite a still-developing skillset. Self noted that all freshmen will participate in the team’s two exhibition games against Louisville and Fort Hays State before any final decisions are made. Players who have previously redshirted for the Jayhawks include Elmarko Jackson, Jamari McDowell, and Bryson Tiller. You can find the full Kansas Basketball roster on the official athletics website.

Self emphasized the long-term nature of redshirt decisions, stating they are “a year-long decision that we have to make before they even play their first game.” The team will use the exhibition games to assess player performance and determine the optimal path for each athlete’s development. For more information on NCAA redshirt rules, visit the NCAA website.