The Kansas Jayhawks’ 2025 recruiting class, assembled by head coach Bill Self, has the potential to return the program to the pinnacle of college basketball. Leading the charge is the nation’s No. 1 overall recruit, shooting guard Darryn Peterson. He headlines a five-player class that also includes guards Kohl Rosario and Corbin Allen, center Paul Mbiya, and wing Samis Calderon.
Today, we’re highlighting Calderon, who could emerge as a significant contributor for Kansas.
Calderon suited up for the Cold Hearts in the Overtime Elite (OTE) league, an increasingly respected pipeline that has produced NBA talent such as Amen and Ausar Thompson. Competing at that level, Calderon showed his ability to deliver in key moments. During the 2024–25 regular season, he averaged 8.4 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.5 blocks per game. He elevated his play in the 2025 playoffs, posting 14.2 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.3 blocks per contest as the Cold Hearts advanced to the semifinals. Notably, Calderon recorded two 20-point performances in the postseason, including a 27-point explosion in their playoff opener.
One of Calderon’s most impressive traits is his knack for performing when the stakes are highest.
Adam Finkelstein, 247Sports’ director of scouting, evaluated Calderon in late 2024 and had high praise for the forward’s physical profile and upside:
“Calderon is a high-level athlete with exceptional length, huge hands, and a frame that is both strong and defined. He’s measured at 6-foot-8 with shoes and boasts a 7-foot-3 wingspan and 10-inch hands. His athletic testing numbers are elite—a 38-inch vertical and the fastest full-court sprint time in the entire OTE program. These tools show up on the court, where he covers ground with ease and has all the makings of a versatile defender.”
Finkelstein also noted Calderon’s positional flexibility:
“He should be capable of defending multiple positions and thrive in both half-court and up-tempo defensive schemes. Offensively, Calderon is most effective in transition, where he can capitalize on his athleticism. He’s not yet a reliable shot creator or shooter—his mechanics are clean, but his shooting percentages have lacked consistency.”
At 6-foot-8, Calderon gives Kansas a long, athletic option at the small forward spot—a position that’s become increasingly fluid in today’s game. Earning minutes won’t be easy, but his physical tools and defensive upside could make him a valuable piece of Coach Self’s rotation, especially early in the season as roles begin to solidify.
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