The 2025-26 Kansas Jayhawks might not be the flashiest team Bill Self has coached, but they’re quickly becoming one of the most compelling. Sitting at 8-3 after navigating a rugged non-conference stretch, this group is still finding its identity-but what’s already clear is that they’re tough, athletic, and playing with a fire that’s hard to ignore.
What’s remarkable about this Kansas team is that only one player on the roster saw game action for the Jayhawks last season. That kind of turnover would derail most programs, but KU is finding ways to win. And while this isn’t the most polished or talent-rich roster Self has had, it just might be one of his grittiest.
A big part of that edge comes from their athleticism. Top to bottom, this is one of the most physically dynamic teams Kansas has put on the floor in recent years.
But what’s really setting them apart is their attitude. They’re hungry.
They’re scrappy. And they’re playing like they’ve got something to prove.
Star guard Darryn Peterson has been limited by leg issues-hamstring tightness and cramps have cost him seven games already-but even with their top scorer sidelined, KU has kept grinding. That speaks to the depth and resilience of this roster, and to the way Self has retooled this team with under-the-radar transfers who are fully bought in.
Let’s talk about those transfers. Melvin Council Jr., Tre White, Jayden Dawson, and Nginyu Ngala aren’t household names-at least not yet.
White is the only one with major-conference experience, having bounced through USC, Louisville, and Illinois. The others came from smaller programs or, in Ngala’s case, from a Canadian college.
But what they lack in national buzz, they’re making up for with effort, chemistry, and a deep appreciation for the opportunity to wear Kansas across their chest.
That pride was on full display Saturday in a gritty overtime win at NC State. Council exploded for 36 points-nearly half of KU’s total-and buried nine threes on 15 attempts, more than doubling his previous career high from deep.
After hitting a go-ahead triple late in the game, he turned to the hostile crowd and held out his jersey, showing off the Kansas name like a badge of honor. That’s a player who’s not just playing for himself-he’s playing for the program.
White, meanwhile, has been a glue guy in the truest sense. He’s not always the flashiest player on the floor, but he does the little things-diving for loose balls, defending hard, making the extra pass. And like Council, he looks like he’s genuinely enjoying his time in Lawrence.
Ngala and Dawson are both making the most of their big-stage opportunity. Ngala, who arrived from a Canadian school, and Dawson, who transferred from Loyola-Chicago, are adjusting to the jump in competition, but they’ve embraced the challenge. Their energy and commitment have been contagious.
Then there’s Flory Bidunga-the lone returner from last year’s squad. He briefly tested the transfer portal waters before recommitting to KU, and that decision is paying off. He’s made noticeable strides in his game and brings relentless effort every time he steps on the floor.
Two other familiar faces are back as well. Elmarko Jackson, a former McDonald’s All-American, struggled as a freshman and missed last season with an injury.
Jamari McDowell redshirted after a limited role his first year. Both could’ve looked elsewhere, but they stuck it out, developed their games, and are now contributing in meaningful ways.
Offensively, the Jayhawks can hit some dry spells-especially when Peterson isn’t available-but they make up for it with suffocating defense. This might end up being one of Self’s best defensive units by season’s end. They play with urgency, communicate well, and don’t shy away from physicality.
There’s also a noticeable shift in team chemistry. In recent years, Kansas has brought in high-profile transfers who didn’t always seem fully aligned with the program’s culture.
That’s not the case this season. These guys are buying in, and it shows in the way they share the ball, celebrate each other’s success, and battle through adversity together.
Tre White said it best last week-this team genuinely enjoys being around each other. That camaraderie is translating to the court, and it’s making Kansas basketball fun to watch again.
No, this team isn’t perfect. But it’s tough, it’s connected, and it’s playing with a purpose that fans can rally behind. And in a season that started with more questions than answers, that’s something worth getting excited about.