Even if you’ve been following the Kansas basketball recruiting efforts closely, the name Grant Mordini probably surprised you.
Mordini, the latest Jayhawk to sign for the 2026-27 season, is a 6-11, 210-pound big man from Lake Forrest, Illinois, who spent last season at Avon Old Farms prep school in Connecticut.
His film shows great size, good athleticism and a good-looking outside shot.
After his commitment became official — he first announced via a post on his Instagram page — Kansas coach Bill Self’s comments about him revealed what you should expect from the latest and largely unknown new Jayhawk.
“He will add depth at the center position and be a guy that makes us better every day in practice,” Self said.
So, there you have it. No need to spend too much time wondering how Mordini fits into the rotation or what his ceiling is for the upcoming season.
He’s a big body who will provide KU with some versatility in practice and depth in the frontcourt behind Christian Reeves, Paul Mbiya and Keanu Dawes. But his playing time likely will be limited and he may only see significant minutes in mop-up time and in cases of injury or extreme foul trouble.
He also may not be the last player like him that the Jayhawks add before the start of the 2026-27 school year.
Kansas still has four open spots on its roster and likely will fill at least two or three of them, if not all four. The financial ramifications of filling up to 15 scholarship spots on a given roster have become a significant factor at schools across the country.
According to KU's release announcing his signing, Mordini averaged 12.5 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 1.8 steals in 22 games at Avon Old Farms last season. He shot 58.2% from the field and recorded seven double-doubles.
As things sit today, here's one look at the KU roster breakdown for next season, which now includes six freshmen, two returners and three signees from the transfer portal.
It seems like a safe bet that the Jayhawks will be on the lookout for a backup point guard, another shooter or two — be it a true guard or a wing — and possibly one more big body.
PG - Taylen Kinney* |
SG - Leroy Blyden Jr.^ | Luke Barnett*
SF - Tyran Stokes* | Kohl Rosario | Trent Perry*
4 - Keanu Dawes^ | Davion Adkins*
5 - Christian Reeves^ | Paul Mbiya | Grant Mordini*
* = freshman
^ = transfer portal signee
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