Kansas Basketball Guard Makes Late Offseason Transfer Portal Entry

One of Kansas‘ backcourt players entered the transfer portal on Monday, opening a roster spot for the Jayhawks.

Jan 24, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Rice Owls guard Noah Shelby (1) defends against Florida Atlantic Owls guard Jalen Gaffney (12) during the second half at Tudor Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images | Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

According to reports from On3, Kansas Jayhawks guard Noah Shelby is entering the NCAA transfer portal.

NEW: Kansas guard Noah Shelby has entered the NCAA transfer portal, @PeteNakos_ reports.

Shelby has made stops at Vanderbilt and Rice.https://t.co/EDWuhfuFZR pic.twitter.com/rZt7GHDEQW

— Transfer Portal (@TransferPortal_) July 7, 2025

Although Bill Self had seemingly rounded out his squad, Shelby unexpectedly departed from the program in the late transfer window.

A former 4-star recruit out of high school, Shelby began his collegiate career at Vanderbilt before transferring to Rice.

He was a walk-on redshirt during his first and only year in Lawrence, and his KU career ended before he could play a game in a crimson and blue uniform. The school was planning to elevate Shelby to a scholarship player this upcoming season.

While he never took the floor at KU, Shelby appeared in 30 games for Rice in the 2023-24 campaign. He averaged 3.9 points and 1.0 rebounds for the Owls on 35.1% field goal shooting. 

With transfers Melvin Council Jr. and Jayden Dawson and returning players Elmarko Jackson and Jamari McDowell in the fold, the 6-foot-3 guard did not have a viable path to playing time despite his exceptional athleticism.

Incoming freshman Kohl Rosario’s commitment last month also could have influenced Shelby‘s decision.

Now that Shelby is out of the picture, Kansas has two remaining scholarships on the roster, though it remains unknown whether the program will fill them.