All eyes in Lawrence may be on the quarterback battle and the front line, but there’s another Kansas name making noise out in Las Vegas.
Former Jayhawk Tre White has put together a strong run in NBA Summer League with the Miami Heat. Playing as an undrafted free agent, White is averaging 16 points, 6.3 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game while knocking down 38.1% of his 3-pointers.
That production matters because White’s biggest question at KU this past season was his shooting from deep. He hit 40.3% of his 3-pointers for Kansas in 2025-26, and now he’s giving Miami a reason to keep watching.
After the draft, White signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the Heat, a one-year deal that isn’t guaranteed. The contract also carries an optional bonus of up to $75,000, which would be paid after he’s waived if he spends at least 60 days with the Heat’s G League team.
Even with that setup, White is making a legitimate push for something better - either a roster spot or a two-way contract. If he keeps this up, the summer could turn into something bigger.
Back in Lawrence, the quarterback race remains unsettled, though one name has a slight edge. According to a program source, Ballard is ahead of Isaiah Marshall, but not by much.
Ballard’s case is built on arm strength and command. He has the stronger arm and, according to the source, knows the Jayhawks’ playbook well. Marshall brings a different kind of pressure on the defense, with his legs viewed as a real asset by the coaching staff.
The question of who should start is a different conversation. I think it should be Marshall. Ballard may have the higher floor and the better arm, but if you believe in associate head coach Andy Kotelnicki, you have to trust that he can make Marshall’s life easier and amplify his strengths.
I think Ballard is a solid quarterback, but Marshall’s upside is hard to ignore.
That battle also feeds into a bigger concern: what happens if Marshall doesn’t win the job? I wouldn’t make assumptions for him, and this isn’t based on any inside knowledge, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he considers transferring after the season. If Ballard beats him out, it would be the third time Marshall has lost a quarterback competition to him, and it’s fair to think he’d want a chance to start somewhere, even if that means leaving KU.
As for Kansas’ chances against its rivals, that’s a tough one. I think it will be hard to beat Missouri or K-State this season, though KU should have a better shot against K-State. Either way, winning one of those games would count as a major plus for the Jayhawks’ 2026 season, especially with a young quarterback and other roster questions still unresolved.
There’s also a big decision looming on the other side of the ball: Bill Self’s starting center. If Mihailo Mušikić is cleared and joins KU, I still don’t expect him to be a serious candidate for the job. I think the competition comes down to Paul Mbiya and Christian Reeves.
Self has said Reeves has the edge right now, but Mbiya is getting a real chance because Reeves is still recovering from surgery to repair a torn labrum. Mbiya has returned from an extended stay in France in better shape, and the KU staff has been impressed with his fitness. Reeves might still be the favorite, but Mbiya has a real shot to push him, and he is my pick to win the job.
The offensive line is another area worth watching. A program source said the group has good size and is pretty physical overall. Left tackle Calvin Clements had a good spring, while Cal transfer Nick Morrow brings starting experience.
The source also pointed to Amir Herring as one of KU’s highest-graded offensive players, and described Tavake Tuikolovatu and Connor Stroh as “big and physical.”
Still, the real answer won’t come until the games start. There are multiple newcomers in that group, and with a young quarterback in the mix, some growing pains would not be a surprise.
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