What hoops players are left in portal for KU to consider? Here are some

Kansas, which has three vacancies to fill on its 2023-24 men’s basketball roster, still has 3 1/2 weeks to add a few players before the start of summer school drills on June 6.

The Jayhawks have lost eight players (Zach Clemence, Kyle Cuffe, Zuby Ejiofor, Cam Martin, Bobby Pettiford, MJ Rice, Ernest Udeh, Joseph Yesufu) to the NCAA transfer portal since the conclusion of the 2022-23 season. KU has added three players from that same portal: Hunter Dickinson (Michigan), Arterio Morris (Texas) and Nick Timberlake (Towson).

The nine scholarship players currently on the 2023-24 roster include the three portal additions plus incoming freshmen Marcus Adams, Elmarko Jackson, Chris Johnson and Jamari McDowell as well as returning starters KJ Adams and Dajuan Harris. KU has 12 available scholarships, one taken away for the next three recruiting classes due to self-imposed sanctions in the NCAA’s case against KU hoops.

Many recruiting analysts thought KU’s roster would jump to 10 scholarship players Friday. However top 10- rated high school senior forward Mackenzie Mgbako surprised the recruiting world by selecting Indiana over the Jayhawks.

In the aftermath of Mgbako’s decision, some KU fans have been wondering what remaining prospects in the portal or high school recruiting Class of 2023 could conceivably be late additions to the team.

Over the weekend, KU entertained Flory Bidunga, a 6-9, 220-pound senior-to-be from Kokomo (Indiana) High School who is ranked No. 2 in the Class of 2024 by Rivals.com and No. 3 by 247sports.com.

There has been speculation Bidunga might switch from the recruiting Class of 2024 to 2023. However, on May 2, he rejected that talk by telling 247sports.com: “I am not reclassifying.”

He has visited KU, Indiana, Auburn and Florida. Kentucky and others are also on his list.

“I just have to find a place that feels like home, a good coaching staff and a place I can play right away,” Bidunga told 247sports.com.

There are several players still available in the transfer portal, including some that have entered their names in the 2023 NBA Draft. Deadline is May 31 for players to withdraw from the draft if they wish to keep their college eligibility.

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• Guard Kevin McCullar, a 6-6, 210-pound starter on last year’s KU team, has entered his name in the draft with one year of collegiate eligibility remaining. He has not ruled out the possibility of returning to KU, though he’s indicated a strong desire to begin his pro career.

A guarantee from an NBA team that he’ll be taken in the second round or promise of a two-way free agent contract likely would keep McCullar in June 22 draft in Brooklyn, New York.

• Grant Nelson, 6-11, 235 senior-to-be from North Dakota State University, who according to 24/7 High School Hoops has heard from KU, has entered his name in the NBA Draft pool and NCAA transfer portal and like McCullar will attend this week’s NBA Combine in Chicago. Reportedly he’s leaning toward…