Kansas basketball remains in contention for standout Illinois transfer in the portal

Kansas basketball recently missed out on a pair of key transfer portal targets, as Josh Dix committed to Creighton and former UCF guard Keyshawn Hall chose Auburn. With six players departing and no new additions from the portal so far this offseason, the Jayhawks are still looking to make a splash.

However, as past years have shown, transfers can emerge at any time—David Coit, for example, joined unexpectedly last August.

With that in mind, head coach Bill Self and his staff are shifting their focus to other promising options in the portal. One notable name to watch is Illinois transfer Tre White. The 6-foot-7 guard recently narrowed his list of potential schools to six, and Kansas remains in the mix.

Tre White Narrows List to Six Schools, Kansas Basketball Still in the Mix

Kansas basketball remains firmly in contention for Illinois transfer Tre White, who recently trimmed his list of potential destinations to six programs. Joining the Jayhawks in his final group are St. John’s, Oklahoma, Mississippi State, Cincinnati, and USC. The Dallas native has previously played at USC as a freshman and Louisville as a sophomore before spending this past season with Illinois.

White was a key starter on a loaded Illini roster, averaging 10.5 points and 5.5 rebounds while shooting 50.7% from the field, including 32.9% from three-point range. Though his perimeter shooting remains a work in progress, he thrives as a cutter and finisher at the rim—where he converted an impressive 64% of his attempts during the 2024-25 campaign.

With his size, athleticism, and rebounding ability, White would be a strong fit in Bill Self’s system. He excels in transition and has noticeably developed his ability to attack off the dribble since entering college.

White is a realistic and appealing target for Kansas, especially since he’s not expected to require a high-end NIL package. He could step into a starting role immediately, potentially alongside incoming freshman standout Darryn Peterson. If a decision is made soon, White may end up being KU’s first portal addition of the offseason.