End of Season Cumulative Kansas Jayhawks Player Ratings

Let's rate the player performances over the course of the entire season

Author:
Derek Noll
Publish date:
Mar 23, 2023 11:43 AM EDT

In this story:

The season is over, but we’ve got one more player ratings post for you. There is no theme this time, simply a cumulative look at each player and where they rated over the course of the entire 2022-23 season. For this exercise, we’re not using any stats, just going with some recaps and the general feel for how each player performed.

5 Stars: Jalen Wilson

The consensus first team All-American is the only five star performer for Kansas this year, but then again, this honor is reserved for the greatest of seasons, and Jalen had one of the best individual seasons in recent Kansas history. Jalen Wilson leaves KU as a national champion, a conference player of the year, one of the best five players in the nation, and just an overall extremely likeable KU legend.

4.5 Stars: Dajuan Harris and Gradey Dick

Just below Jalen sits the dynamic duo of Dajuan Harris and Gradey Dick.

Dajuan Harris is an all-around stud and Kansas fans are lucky to have more Harris no-look passes, steals, and alley-oops to look forward to next year. A true floor general whose assist to turnover ratio is up there with the best in the country, he sometimes gets overlooked for Kansas’s more flashy players, but without Dajuan, the Jayhawks just weren’t the same. They often looked flat and disorganized. But with Juan in there, KU could beat anyone.

Gradey Dick had one of the most memorable freshman campaigns in KU history, setting the school record for three pointers made in the process. In my 35 years of religiously watching KU basketball, he’s one of, if not the only player that I’ve legitimately thought the ball was going in every time he released the ball from behind the arc. His offensive rebounding and ability to hound out a tough board were attributes that got better as the season progressed.

4 Stars: Kevin McCullar and KJ Adams

Oftentimes, a defensive specialist doesn't get the recognition he deserves. Or, the only thing anyone notices about that player is his defensive ability. Not so with Kevin McCullar. His ability to get to the basket in games late in the season were key to keeping KU in games. But still, his blocks, tenaciousness hawking the ball, and ability to create turnovers will be his legacy. Oh, and that amazing stretch at the end of the Texas Tech game where he basically willed Kansas to a win.

No one could have predicted that KJ Adams would’ve had the season that he did. After playing sparingly on KUs national title team, KJ became a starter and an effective small five. I’m looking forward to seeing KJ pick and roll next season and throw down even more of his trademark dunks.

3 Stars: Ernest Udeh, Zuby Ejiofor, and Joe Yesufu

Now we get to the three star area where, for one reason or another, the guys either didn’t play to their potential or didn’t have enough playing time to qualify above.

Both Ernest Udeh and Zuby Ejiofor qualify as guys who haven’t played enough. Zuby appeared to be the man to come in for Adams early in the season, but a foot injury stifled that. Ernest Udeh then got another chance and became the backup big for the rest of the season. Overall, Udeh was better and more effective than Zuby and probably has a higher ceiling too. But Ernest needs to learn how to control his body and not foul because it appears that the referees are looking for him now.

Joseph Yesufu is the one player on this team that always leaves you wanting more. One day, he’ll look like he’s ready to carry a twenty minute per game load, and the next, you don’t want to see more than two minutes because of his multiple bad decisions with the ball. That said, he was really KU’s lone scoring threat off the bench and had a few very nice games for KU when they needed him the most.

2 Stars: Bobby Pettiford, Zach Clemence, and MJ Rice

Bobby Pettiford had one or two very good games this season, but overall, he just couldn’t step into Dajuan Harris’s shoes the way that he needed to. Oftentimes too sloppy on the ball, Bobby also needs to work on his jumper as his only real offensive threat is a drive to the basket, which honestly, he should do more of. He'll most likely get a chance to do just that at whatever school he attends next. Good luck, Bobby.

MJ Rice was riddled with various injuries this season and couldn’t live up to his potential. It will be interesting to see what next season brings for him, and as the roster takes shape, MJ Rice could be one to benefit from all the transfers away. He certainly has the potential.

Zach Clemence is leaving and this wasn't a shock at all. He played sparingly with Adams, Udeh, and Ejiorfor playing in front of him for most of the season. I hope he gets the playing time he's been wanting and showcases what I believe to be a considerable amount of talent.