Bill Self couldn't quite pull another rabbit out of the hat. With the Jayhawks looking for a late push to replace seven departing players from last year’s Elite Eight team Bill Self himself stated that the Jayhawks needed to hit a home run.
Headed into the spring signing period the Jayhawks had just one recruit in the fold in point guard Naadir Tharpe. An early push landed St. Louis shooting guard Ben McClemore and a power forward out of Canada in Braedon Anderson, but the Jayhawks were still thin and needed a player or players that could come in and make an instant impact. On signing day Kansas landed one more in Jamari Traylor but there were plenty of eyes focused on one other player.
DeAndre Daniels, a versatile 6’8" wing player out of Florida was nearly a Jayhawk back in January but after the process was extended into summer it has been announced that he will join defending national champion UConn. Daniels is a player with length that can face the basket and create offensively. Daniels provides a nice boost to the Huskies from an offensive perspective on the wing and it provides a substantial late boost to the UConn recruiting class.
"He is an extremely talented young man, but what sets him apart from other talented kids his age is the fact that he is extremely driven and focused on becoming the best player possible. He is an immediate impact player at the next level."
- IMG Academy director Andy Borman
As for Kansas it isn't the end of the world. The Jayhawks are still talented enough to compete in the Big 12 and on a National level. It won't be as easy as it has been for Bill Self but the Jayhawk coach has been one of the best in the business at reloading and while Kansas is thin on experience they aren't thin on talent.