Big 12 Basketball: 5 biggest takeaways from 2019 recruiting classes

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - MARCH 16: The Iowa State Cyclones celebrate with Lindell Wigginton #5 after he is named to the Big 12 first team after defeating the Kansas Jayhawks 78-66 to win the Big 12 Basketball Tournament Finals at Sprint Center on March 16, 2019 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /

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LAWRENCE, KANSAS – MARCH 09: Head coach Bill Self of the Kansas Jayhawks coaches from the bench during the game against the Baylor Bears at Allen Fieldhouse on March 09, 2019 in Lawrence, Kansas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /

3. Somehow, Kansas succeeds this recruiting cycle

Every once in a while, a top-tier team struggles all game long against an inferior opponent. They’ll miss a lot of shots and allow the other team to get hot but still finds a way to take the game into overtime. And in the extra five minutes, the favorite will run away with the game for a comfortable win.

That’s basically what Kansas did in the last couple of months. For the longest time, they only had commitments from three-star players Christian Braun and Issac McBride. There were a number of factors involved, including several NBA Draft decisions and a few five-star recruits left to make a move that the Jayhawks were linked to.

It was a mixed bag for sure. Udoka Azubuike and Devon Dotson came back but Quentin Grimes transferred out. Far as the recruits go, RJ Hampton went overseas instead of picking Kansas, while Precious Achiuwa chooses Memphis late in the process as well. And besides shooting wing Isaiah Moss of Iowa, the team failed to land multiple grad transfers who were in the portal.

It looked like Bill Self was going into next season with a limited roster but he was able to find three of the last four-star uncommitted prospects. Top-70 forward Tristan Enaruna picked Kansas, while Jalen Wilson ended up with the Jayhawks after leaving Michigan. And to fill up the backup point guard spot, Dajuan Harris recently committed as well.

It bolstered the team back to the top of the Big 12 and while none of these guys are projected “one and dones”, they’ll provide solid depth and eventually develop into future stars themselves. Never count out the Jayhawks under any circumstance on the recruiting trail.

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