NCAA Basketball: Ranking the 8 team finalists for 2023 5-star guard Ja’Kobe Walter
By Ian Mumm
Kansas Jayhawks
The new national champions of college basketball stormed their way to the crown behind a deep cast of stars. Talent has never been something the Jayhawks have lacked, but they’ve come to be equally as strong in developing their own players to reach levels capable of maintaining national competitiveness. Next year’s team remains littered with talent to chase another title, especially if Christian Braun, David McCormack, and Jalen Wilson all decide to withdraw their names from the NBA Draft.
Despite the highly ranked recruiting class head coach Bill Self was able to assemble this year, Kansas will potentially only feature Braun, if he returns, and incoming 5-star guards Gradey Dick and MJ Rice. Without Braun in the fold, both freshman guards have a path towards ample playing time and production commensurate with one-and-done expectations.
This scenario affords Ja’Kobe Walter significant opportunity to carve out a large role on a championship contender without having the burden of carrying the entire program in his first season as a Jayhawk.
Additionally, the track record of Kansas sending players to the professional ranks cannot be ignored by a top recruit whose aspirations definitely align with reaching the NBA.