Kohl Rosario has become a familiar name in Lawrence for reasons that go beyond what he did on the floor last season. He was the lone Kansas player from a year ago who didn’t dip into the transfer portal or leave briefly because of eligibility issues, and that kind of stay-put loyalty has put him in position to be a breakout name heading into his sophomore year.
Rosario spoke with reporters after Kansas held an open practice for donors and fans, and the conversation quickly turned to the two notable returnees who recently rejoined the roster: Tre White and Melvin Council Jr. Rosario made it clear he’s happy to have both back in the mix.
"We know that's what was best for the team," Rosario said. "We found out literally before we practiced, and that gave us a different energy boost."
He also pointed to the way both players have handled their return, saying they haven’t walked back in expecting anything to be handed to them. Rosario said Council and White have approached the group with the same work-first mentality everyone else has to bring.
"They've been great. They're such good people, they didn't come back expecting anything," Rosario continued.
"Even Melvin, when he came back, he went right away and played defense with the scout team by his choice, which just shows the type of person he is. And Tre, too, they didn't expect anything.
They know they're here to work hard to earn their spot."
For Rosario, the offseason has been about getting his own game in better shape. In his first year in Lawrence, he averaged 3.4 points per game across 29 appearances. He flashed early, even starting Kansas’ first six games, but his shooting inconsistencies eventually pushed him out of the rotation.
That’s why the jump shot has been a major focus for him this offseason. Rosario said he’s also working on staying calm and letting the game settle around him instead of trying to force things.
"I would say just to slow down," Rosario stated. "Don't let everything come at you too fast. Just be poised and know I don't need to rush my shot."
He pointed to Kansas’ NCAA tournament loss to St. John’s as a meaningful moment in his development. Rosario played just 10 minutes in that game, but he entered when the Jayhawks were down by double digits and helped fuel a rally with a big 3-pointer and defensive stops before the Red Storm ended it with a layup.
Kansas now has a rebuilt roster, with top-ranked freshman Tyran Stokes leading the way. Rosario didn’t hold back when talking about what he’s seen from Stokes so far, marveling at both his size and skill.
"Oh my gosh, he's literally like a superhuman," he joked. "I did not think he was going to be that tall.
This guy weighs 240 pounds. He's really good at basketball.
I don't think anybody can stop him from going downhill. He's such a force when it comes to scoring and drawing people to make passes to open players."
With Kansas loaded with wings and options in the backcourt, Rosario still looks like a player who can matter off the bench. If he keeps building on the offseason work, he should be one of Bill Self’s more trusted second-unit pieces.
In Other News...
Kansas Faces One More Problem In Brutal Road Test At Utah
Kansas is already staring at a difficult assignment in Salt Lake City, where the Jayhawks will face No. 12 Utah at Rice-Eccles Stadium in a game that has been pushed earlier because of the expected impact from the remnants of Tropical Storm Rachel. The road setting alone makes this a stiff test, but the weather forecast adds another layer of uncertainty for a Kansas team trying to steady itself away from home.
Salt Lake City has been under a wind advisory, and there is a chance of thunderstorm activity during the game, conditions that could shape everything from field position to the kicking game. For Kansas, that is especially notable given the special teams issues it has already had to manage, turning what was already a brutal road trip into a matchup where even the elements could become part of the problem. [Read more 🡒]
Kansas Faces Its Biggest Big 12 Test Yet At Utah
Kansas heads to Rice-Eccles Stadium on Saturday night for its toughest Big 12 assignment yet, a late kickoff against No. 12 Utah that will say plenty about where the Jayhawks stand in the league race. Utah is undefeated, favored by 15.5 points and sitting atop the Big 12 in scoring defense, while Kansas comes in at 2-2 with a defense that has shown it can keep the Jayhawks in games.
The backdrop makes this more than just another road trip. A 9:15 p.m. CT start on ESPN puts Kansas in a hostile setting against a team that has handled every challenge so far, and the Jayhawks will need one of their cleanest efforts of the season to leave Salt Lake City with momentum. Whether this becomes a turning point or a reminder of the gap Kansas still has to close, it is the kind of test that can shape the rest of the fall. [Read more 🡒]
Kansas Lineup Puzzle Could Reshape A Key Starting Battle
Kansas has spent the offseason trying to make its lineup a little less predictable, and the return of Tre White only adds to the options Bill Self and his staff are weighing. The latest wrinkle is Utah transfer Keanu Dawes, who has shown an openness to playing multiple spots, including center, giving the Jayhawks a potential way to play smaller without losing too much size on the floor.
Christian Reeves and Paul Mbiya still matter in the frontcourt picture, but the center spot may not be as straightforward as it once looked heading into the season. If Dawes can handle that role, Kansas could unlock more versatility in its rotation and create a different kind of starting battle than many expected. [Read more 🡒]