Kansas is getting an early look at one of its 2027 small forward targets, with Malachi Jordan reportedly set to visit in September.
Jordan’s trip to Lawrence comes as Kansas’ 2027 recruiting board is still wide open. Javon Bardwell had been in that class before reclassifying to 2026 and decommitting, leaving Bill Self and his staff back at square one for that group.
According to Sam Kayser of League Ready, Jordan’s visit list also includes USC, Vanderbilt, Tennessee and UConn. Kayser added that Jordan is also considering three other schools right now.
For Kansas, the fit is easy to see on paper. Self is trying to line up a replacement for top prospect Tyran Stokes, who is likely to move on to the NBA after this season. If Jordan ends up being the guy, the Jayhawks would be adding a highly regarded wing with real upside.
Jordan is ranked No. 23 overall in the 2027 class by 247Sports and is listed as the No. 7 small forward. He’s already built like a college wing, checking in at 6-foot-7 and 225 pounds at just 17 years old.
That physical profile is a big part of what makes him intriguing. Adam Finkelstein of 247Sports described him this way:
"Jordan is one of the most physically gifted prospects in the class. He has good positional size, a powerful frame, long arms (6-foot-11-plus wingspan), and explosive vertical athleticism...
When he’s not trying to do too much, he has enough touch to make open rhythm shots, be a straight-line downhill driver, and even underrated passer. He’s also a violent finisher and lob threat whenever he can get to two feet...he’s not as athletic with his first-step as he is vertically.
He’s not ideally suited to be a primary creator, and even defensively, he sometimes needs to use his hands to compensate for his lateral quickness. He’s still potentially versatile on that end, and very dangerous when recovering from behind the ball..."
Finkelstein also noted that Jordan can get carried away and try to force too much, which can lead to inefficient stretches. The concern on the other end is his lateral quickness, which could affect both his creation on offense and his defense in a Kansas system that asks plenty from wings.
Still, there’s plenty there for Self to like. Jordan’s ability to finish around the rim, play through contact and make passes should all stand out, and the lob threat element is especially appealing if he can keep developing.
Kansas also hosted another small forward last week in German Fabian Kayser, another sign that the staff knows where it may need help. The Jayhawks have a young roster, and depending on how the NCAA eligibility situation shakes out and how much of the current group Self can keep together, small forward looks like one spot that will need attention.
And while the staff is clearly thinking ahead to 2027, there’s still plenty on the plate right now. Kansas has two open scholarships left for this season, and with the NCAA eligibility rules still being sorted out in court, Self and his staff have to keep working the board for both the present and the future.
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