Kansas basketball has secured a commitment from Utah transfer Keanu Dawes for the upcoming season. Dawes, a junior, averaged 12.5 points and 8.8 rebounds last season and will help strengthen the Jayhawks' front court.
LAWRENCE â Kansas basketball has landed its first public commitment from the transfer portal in Utah transfer Keanu Dawes.
Dawes, a junior this past season, has decided to play in college for the Jayhawks next season, according to multiple reports. According to DraftExpress, he does intend to test his NBA draft potential. However, this decision moves KU closer toward having a more complete roster for the 2026-27 campaign.
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Dawes shined in a loss at Allen Fieldhouse this past season, recording a double-double of 22 points and 12 rebounds. Utah tested Kansas in Lawrence, before the Jayhawks ultimately prevailed. Over the course of the season, Dawes averaged 12.5 points and 8.8 rebounds per game.
Dawes might not provide KU with more 3-point shooting, but he will provide someone who can add size and physicality to the Jayhawksâ front court. Kansas is set to lose a lot of that after this past season. Coach Bill Self and company now have some more momentum for this offseason.
Kansas basketball's Melvin Council Jr. #14 drives to the basket against Jerry Huang #9 of Utah and forward Keanu Dawes #8 of Utah at Allen Fieldhouse on Feb. 7, 2026 in Lawrence, Kansas.
Jordan Guskey covers University of Kansas Athletics at The Topeka Capital-Journal. He was the 2022 National Sports Media Associationâs sportswriter of the year for the state of Kansas. Contact him at or on Twitter at @JordanGuskey.
Keanu Dawes averaged 12.5 points and 8.8 rebounds per game during his last season at Utah.
Dawes adds size and physicality to the Jayhawks' front court, helping to complete their roster for the upcoming season.
Yes, Keanu Dawes intends to test his NBA draft potential despite transferring to Kansas.
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This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Kansas basketball adding Utah transfer forward Keanu Dawes