Kansas Secures Five-Star Forward Javon Bardwell for 2027

Kansas basketball secured a major recruiting commitment from Javon Bardwell, a top-15 prospect and five-star small forward in the 2027 class, who is considering reclassifying to join the team as early as the 2026 season. Bardwell, originally from Harlem and currently playing at PHHoenix Prep in Arizona as well as in the Overtime Elite league, chose Kansas over finalists Louisville, Texas, and USC. His decision follows recent commitments from other top recruits, including five-star point guard Taylen Kinney and four-star small forward Trent Perry, signaling a surge in Kansas' recruiting momentum under coach Bill Self. Bardwell's commitment could indicate Kansas moving on from pursuing Tyran Stokes, who recently signed an NIL deal with Nike, a partner to other schools. Bardwell's recruitment was characterized by strong relationships with the coaching staff, particularly Self and assistant Tony Bland, and his high-energy playing style is expected to fit well with the Jayhawks. The program is positioning itself to build a competitive team for the future, with Bardwell being the earliest commitment made in advance since a previous long-term recruit.