Kansas Lands Prolific Five-Star Basketball Recruit
Kohl Rosario’s rise from an unranked high school prospect to a five-star talent has been nothing short of meteoric. Now, after officially reclassifying, the six-foot-five combo guard is set to join the Kansas Jayhawks for the 2025–26 season. A late bloomer with strong physical tools, Rosario made waves on the spring circuit with his two-way versatility, sharp scoring instincts, and high-flying ability. Kansas head coach Bill Self saw enough to bring him into a class already loaded with talent, believing Rosario has the potential to contribute right away and develop into an NBA-caliber player. After Self and the staff swung and missed at multiple players in the portal, the fanbase began to question this year's strategy. Self found himself in yet another recruiting battle with Duke’s Jon Sheyer, and after losing the last battle for Dame Sarr, he quickly pivoted to another wing who could provide immediate impact.
Rosario won’t arrive alone. Kansas has retooled its roster through a combination of veteran transfers and elite recruits. The Jayhawks’ offseason haul includes portal additions Tre White, Melvin Council Jr., and Jayden Dawson —each of whom averaged double-digit points at their previous stops and all look to provide immediate defensive versatility. They’re joined by five-star sensation Darryn Peterson, the number one overall player in the 2025 class and the projected first pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. With a blend of youth, size, and scoring, Kansas boasts one of the deepest and most athletic rosters in the country heading into the new season.
With Rosario’s arrival, the Jayhawks gain more than just depth—they gain a dynamic piece that can impact the game on both ends. His ability to guard multiple positions, knock down shots, and bring energy off the bench or in a starting role makes him a perfect fit for Self’s system. NBA scouts are already tracking Rosario’s rapid development, and if he continues to ascend at this pace, Kansas may have landed yet another one-and-done star. With a lineup already consisting of at least two future NBA players, Rosario joins a group that is looking to compete on both sides of the ball and truly play for the name on the front of the jersey. For a program constantly in national title contention, Rosario’s commitment is another signal that the Jayhawks and Bill Self remain elite in both recruiting and player development. Kansas now looks to join the conversation of Big 12 contenders alongside Houston, Texas Tech, and BYU. Rosario is already drawing comparisons to the Denver Nuggets and former Kansas guard Christian Braun based on his athleticism and ability to shoot from a distance. Self and the company have yet another prolific prospect entering Lawrence, and this commitment by Rosario isn’t the end of the recruitment for this 2025 Kansas roster. On Monday, June 23rd, Kansas reportedly completed a Zoom call with Paul Mbiya, a French big man who recently decommitted from NC State. Rosario was one of the missing pieces this Jayhawks team needed, and if they happen to land Mbiya, then this team could be one of the scariest defensive teams in the country.
