I’ve been in some tough locker rooms after NCAA Tournament losses and seen devastated faces, blank stares, tears and anger.
And only a few of the scenes from the past compared to what I saw Elmarko Jackson was feeling after the Jayhawks’ buzzer-beater loss to St. John’s last month in San Diego.
Credit to Jackson for talking through the pain, with the aid of a towel over his head hiding his face for most of it. Long after the locker room had closed and the game had gone final, Jackson was still struggling, walking with his mother down a mostly-empty hallway with the look of pain and heartbreak still prevalent on his face and visible in every step.
Say what you will about Elmarko Jackson the player, but it’s hard to question whether the guy cared about Kansas.
He did. For the past three years. Through injury, ridicule, good times and bad. He was one of those dudes who still played for the jersey and believed in doing his part to be the keeper of the culture.
And, as things move forward and we continue to watch KU rosters turn over almost entirely each offseason, it begs the question will Elmarko go down as one of the last true program guys at Kansas?
Even that feels a little inaccurate given that, on Monday afternoon, reports surfaced about Jackson’s plan to enter the transfer portal, joining teammates Flory Bidunga, whose plan to go portaling was made public late last week, Bryson Tiller and Paul Mbiya from the 2025-26 roster.
Three of those four, including Jackson, were one-time starters.
Now, they’re all likely gone. Sure, one or two of them could — repeat, could — come back to Kansas. But I’m not holding my breath on that being the path any of them choose.
I think Bill Self will be building a mostly-new roster for his return. As of Monday night, only four scholarship players from this season’s team were still on the roster — Jamari McDowell, Kohl Rosario, Samis Calderon and Corbin Allen.
It wouldn’t be a shock if one or two of those guys decides to enter the portal in the next couple of weeks, although there’s reason to believe they all could stay, as well.
With Jackson gone — he told Gary Bedore of The Kansas City Star that he’s looking for “a fresh start” and “a little more opportunity” — that leaves McDowell as both the longest-tenured Jayhawk and another one of those guys who qualifies as one of the last true program guys.
The 6-foot-5, 200-pound guard from Houston has been around for three seasons — played two and redshirted one — and will have two years of eligibility remaining heading into next season.
He, too, has started games as a Jayhawk. And retaining him, especially with Jackson now departing, could be pretty critical for Self and company.
Not only does McDowell have starting experience, but he also is a solid defender, a smart player, a clutch shooter and full of passion. He, too, has proven he cares about playing for the jersey. And as long as he sticks around — at least some type of “if” with nearly every player everywhere these days — he would fully carry the torch for teaching the newcomers what Kansas basketball is all about.
One guy can do it. And it may soon change, whenever Self decides to call it a career.
But, for now, it’s still a hugely important part of the equation. For the torchbearer, for the coaching staff and program, for the newcomers themselves and for KU’s chances at winning.
Last year, we said goodbye to KU veterans Dajuan Harris Jr. and KJ Adams, bidding them farewell as the final program players like them — contribute immediately, play a lot, stay at the same school for an entire career and build a bond with the fan base that’s akin to what countless players before them used to do without having to think about it or try.
Now, with Jackson departing, the ball is in McDowell’s court to become that guy, a true rarity in college sports these days. The last of a breed among Jayhawks.
We’ll know by April 21st — when college basketball’s transfer portal window closes — if he’s still on that path.
