Rosario's decision to stay positions him for new type of KU greatness

So, it turns out that not evvvvveryone is leaving the Kansas men’s basketball program this offseason. 

That’s good news for a couple of reasons. 

KU fans found this out, officially, on Monday afternoon, when freshman guard Kohl Rosario released a short video on X announcing his return for his sophomore season. 

In doing so, Rosario positions himself for one of the biggest jumps we’ve seen from a Kansas basketball player. 

In part because he now borders on beloved, one of those rare dudes in this day and age who chose to stick with Kansas rather than chasing more money, more attention or both through an opportunity elsewhere. 

Don’t get me wrong. Rosario was already on the fringe of being a fan favorite. He just didn’t get a ton of opportunities and playing time to cash in on that status.

That shouldn’t be a problem next season. 

Rosario immediately becomes one of the more important players on the Jayhawks’ 2026-27 roster — even if we don’t know what 80% of it looks like yet. 

The reason is simple – the kid has potential and talent that’s just waiting to be unlocked and unleashed. 

We saw it in glimpses during the 2025-26 season, first with him earning a starting role and then as an energy and effort guy off the bench. 

And we can only assume that, with a full year as a Jayhawk under his belt and another year of maturity — remember, he came to KU after reclassifying and actually should be a freshman just this coming season — he’ll be ready to attack Year 2 in a way he could not have been as a rookie. 

It’s tough to make bold declarations about a team or roster that you haven’t even seen yet, but I don’t think it’s crazy to say that Rosario will open summer workouts with one of the five starting jobs being his to lose. And I wouldn’t bet on him losing it. 

I’m not sure we’re looking at an all-Big 12 type of player quite yet. But if he can shoot the ball next season like we heard he was capable of shooting it throughout this season, that, too, could unlock some things and put him on the brink of becoming a monster. 

There’s still plenty of polish that needs to take place in the areas of ball-handling, defense, body movement and more. But no one can question his willingness. 

Add his motor and desire to the pressure — no pressure, no diamonds, remember? — that comes with being KU’s top returner and I think we’re talking about a major, major jump in store. 

Rosario’s ceiling is as high as ever and his floor just got moved up several notches because of how critical he’ll be to this roster and, perhaps more importantly, this fan base. 

During time when many believe college hoops as we know it is going to hell around us, Rosario did what so many great ones did before him. 

He stayed. To grow. To get better. To develop. To be a Jayhawk. 

His decision — and similar choices made by guys like him at other schools — may not be enough to stem the tide for where this is all headed. 

But damn if it doesn’t feel good to see it today. 

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