Bill Self has long proven his mastery of the basketball court and the NCAA Tournament. But during a recent offseason practice, the Kansas men’s basketball coach showed he’s just as skilled with words.
Last year, during a team workout, Self paused the action to deliver a message that fired up everyone in the gym—players, coaches, and staff alike.
“Good, good job,” Self began. “But let me ask you—do you play harder in the last five minutes than you do in the first 15? You might compete a little more at the end, but you should be playing hard the whole time. Courage is not knowing where the finish line is and going as hard as you can anyway.”
Then, Self posed a question to the room: how many of them felt they’d been pushed to their limit that day? Nearly every hand went up.
“That was the goal,” Self said. Simple. Clear. And perfectly on brand for a coach who demands everything—start to finish.
Self made it clear to his team that the effort they showed that day was the standard moving forward—the kind of intensity it will take to win next season. And he knows they need to win.
Last season was a disappointment by Kansas standards: the Jayhawks started as the No. 1 team in the country but were bounced in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. That kind of early exit doesn’t sit well in Lawrence, especially for a program just a few years removed from a national championship.
But there’s reason for optimism. A loaded recruiting class has reenergized the program and positioned Kansas for a quick rebound. Headlined by five-star shooting guard Darryn Peterson, the Jayhawks boast the No. 6 recruiting class in the nation, featuring one five-star, two four-stars, and a pair of three-star prospects.
The 2025–26 squad will be young, but Self has wasted no time retooling. With fresh talent and renewed focus, Kansas is once again shaping up to be a legitimate title contender.
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