Kansas Targeting $1.5 Million Recruit in College Basketball Transfer Portal

Entering the NCAA Tournament as a No. 4 seed, the Kansas Jayhawks were looking to win their fifth national championship in program history. However, their run didn't last very long, suffering a close 67-65 second-round loss to the No. 5 St. John's Red Storm.

While the Jayhawks didn't end the season the way they'd hoped, it's time to move on. For Bill Self and his staff, that means navigating the transfer portal. It officially opened on Tuesday and runs through April 21.

Kansas didn't make too many flashy transfer moves last offseason. Their three additions and seven losses gave them a group that ranked 10th in the Big 12.

However, Self may be looking to shake things up this time around. On3's Pete Nakos reports that the Jayhawks, along with the Indiana Hoosiers, are two teams linked to former Tennessee Volunteers forward J.P. Estrella.

"Kansas and Indiana have been tied to the Tennessee transfer," Nakos wrote. "Sources have indicated to On3 at this point that the Jayhawks sit in a better spot, but that could change quickly if Indiana shifts its focus and attention over to Estrella."

He's spent all three years of his collegiate career with the Volunteers. He committed to Tennessee as a four-star recruit in the 2023 cycle, choosing them over Syracuse, Marquette, Iowa and Duke.

The redshirt sophomore broke out this past season. Estrella averaged 10 points, 5.4 rebounds and 0.8 assists in 33 games and 13 starts. All three averages marked career highs while also shooting 59.6% from the field.

With two more years of eligibility, Estrella's performance on the court has turned him into an extremely valuable player. His On3 NIL valuation of $1.5 million is the 22nd-highest in college basketball. Now looking for a new team, On3 Industry Rankings list him as the No. 36 player and No. 7 power forward in the transfer portal.

The Jayhawks could use his services as they look to replace some of their own transfer portal departures. Of their six losses so far, two are forwards. That includes Bryson Tiller and Samis Calderon.