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Kansas basketball is in the hunt for the top high school recruit in the 2025 class, but their chances of landing the prized prospect, AJ Dybantsa, seem to be slipping.
Ranked No. 1 overall by 247Sports’ composite rankings, Dybantsa, a 6-foot-9 wing with a wingspan exceeding seven feet, has the attention of every major college program in the country.
Dybantsa, who boasts a lethal pull-up jumper and advanced scoring abilities, is choosing between seven schools: Alabama, Auburn, Baylor, BYU, Kansas, Kansas State, and North Carolina.
While the Jayhawks hosted Dybantsa on an official visit to Lawrence on September 6, recent indications suggest Kansas is fading in the race.
Currently, Kansas State, UNC, and Alabama are seen as the biggest threats to unseat BYU, who appears to be the frontrunner.
AJ Dybantsa, the No. 1 overall player in the country, on his official visit to Kansas: https://t.co/8whByshlzu pic.twitter.com/mdxqOyhi7X
— Joe Tipton (@TiptonEdits) September 8, 2024
Despite the uncertainty surrounding Dybantsa, Kansas fans have reason to stay optimistic.
The Jayhawks are heavily trending toward landing No. 3 overall recruit Darryn Peterson.
While missing out on Dybantsa would be a setback, securing Peterson—another elite prospect in the 2025 class—would still be a major win for Bill Self’s program.
Dybantsa, with his towering frame and smooth shooting mechanics, has become the most coveted high school player in the nation.
His ability to score in both transition and half-court sets, combined with his defensive potential, makes him a can’t-miss prospect.
But, as the recruitment battle heats up, Kansas will need to make a final push if they hope to land the future star.
Even if Dybantsa ultimately chooses elsewhere, landing Darryn Peterson could keep Kansas firmly in the running for another dominant recruiting class.
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While the Kansas basketball program is still looking for its first commitment in the 2026 recruiting cycle, Bill Self and his coaching staff are also scouting talent in next year's class. On Monday, the Jayhawks extended a scholarship offer to one of the best players in the Class of 2027. Javon Bardwell is the most recent recruit to be offered by KU. Bardwell, a 6-foot-6, 175-pound small forward, has caught the attention of many national scouts in recent months. With over 10 offers on the table, he has quickly become one of the most coveted prospects in his graduating year. He is a rising junior at PHH Prep in Phoenix, Arizona, after beginning his high school career at Desert Mountain High School in Scottsdale and later transferring to Hillcrest Prep. According to 247 Sports rankings, Bardwell is the No. 6 small forward, No. 2 player out of Arizona, and No. 14 overall player in the 2027 class. MORE: Bill Self and Kansas Basketball Offer Ascending 2027 Recruit 247 Sports scouting director Eric Bossi said this about Bardwell at a Pro16 event where he competed for BTI United: "Bardwell impressed with his all-around game. He looks to be pushing 6-foot-7 at this point and the product of PHHoenix Prep can do so many things out there. He was initiating offense off the dribble, delivering crisp passes and then going and getting his offense on slashing drives to the rim pretty much whenever he wanted to. A good athlete, he's starting to develop some confidence with his jumper and as good as he is already, he still has another level that he can get to." At his size, Bardwell might be the most fluid athlete in his class. He is exceptionally quick and easily blows by defenders to score around the basket. Although his jump shot is still developing, he has two years of high school to refine it, and his athleticism helps offset some of his current limitations. Scouts have noted that he is also a particularly impressive passer, often finding the open man when he is driving to the rim. Bardwell also competes in the Overtime Elite league for the Diamond Doves. According to OE's website, he averaged 17.7 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 1.6 assists on 45.7% field goal shooting. As the recruitment for the Harlem, New York native heats up, Kansas could become one of his top suitors. Watch Bardwell closely once the Jayhawks focus on the 2027 class.
Cubs catcher lost to horrific-looking injury on same day he returns from IL
After working to return to the Chicago Cubs' lineup following an oblique injury, Miguel Amaya suffered a gruesome-looking injury in his first game back with the Cubs on Wednesday night. Running to first base, Amaya just beat out an infield single on a slow dribbler to shortstop when his left foot landed forcefully on the base, causing his leg to buckle and sending Amaya flying down the first base line. Following the injury, Amaya was carted off the field in Toronto with a towel over his face. The emotions shown by Amaya as he was carted off indicated he knew already he would miss more time in a season that has been marred by injuries. After the game, Cubs manager Craig Counsell confirmed Amaya would be going back on the injured list with what was diagnosed as a left ankle sprain. X-rays, however, were negative. The 26-year-old Amaya had just told reporters after being activated from the 60-day injured list that he was thankful he was healthy. Just three at-bats later, Amaya was once again injured. Amaya's three at-bats against the Blue Jays on Wednesday represented his first game action since May 24, when he recorded just two at-bats against the Cincinnati Reds before leaving the game with an oblique injury. In just 96 at-bats this season, Amaya is slashing .281/.314/.500 with four home runs and 25 RBI. Amaya's injury is another blow for the Cubs, who have seen their lead in the National League Central evaporate as the Milwaukee Brewers have now won 12 consecutive games and are 20-4 since the All-Star break. As has been the case in Amaya's absence, Carson Kelly and Reese McGuire will continue to be the dominant presences behind the plate for the Cubs. Joining with Amaya, the duo has helped the Cubs record a 2.8 Wins Above Average (WAA) at catcher, the highest mark of any MLB team. After Amaya's injury, the Cubs would go on to post a 4-1 win over the Blue Jays.
Browns HC confirms Dillon Gabriel, Shedeur Sanders whispers
A previous report suggested that the Cleveland Browns want to start 2025 third-round draft pick Dillon Gabriel at quarterback for this coming Saturday's preseason game at the Philadelphia Eagles over 2025 fifth-rounder Shedeur Sanders as long as Gabriel is healthy enough to play at Philadelphia's Lincoln Financial Field. While speaking with reporters ahead of Wednesday's joint practice involving the clubs, Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski confirmed that Gabriel began the day on track to start Saturday's contest. "The plan was always to give both of those guys a start in the preseason, so we’ll see how it shakes out," Stefanski explained, as shared by Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk. Neither Gabriel nor backup Kenny Pickett played in Cleveland's preseason opener at the Carolina Panthers on Friday as they continued to recover from lingering hamstring injuries. Sanders received the bulk of the meaningful reps in that game and completed 14-of-23 passes for 138 yards and two touchdowns in a 30-10 win over Carolina. While Gabriel is doing 11-on-11 work during joint practices this week, Pickett remained relegated to 7-on-7 drills as of Wednesday. That said, FanDuel Sportsbook continued to list 40-year-old Joe Flacco as the betting favorite at -310 odds to be the Browns' starting quarterback for their Week 1 game against the Cincinnati Bengals as of Wednesday. Pickett was at +360 odds, followed by Sanders at +1060. Gabriel was a +1800 underdog to get the nod for the Cincinnati matchup at that time. Gabriel began Wednesday as the Browns' unofficial QB3 ahead of Sanders. Meanwhile, Sanders did not get any reps in the opening few periods of the Browns' joint practice with the Eagles on Wednesday morning after suffering an oblique injury. Earlier in the month, the former Colorado star missed some practice time due to arm soreness. Per Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer, Stefanski added that he wants "to get through" Thursday before he finalizes his plans for the Philadelphia game. Unless Gabriel experiences a setback ahead of the weekend, it seems he will receive an opportunity to silence critics while serving as Cleveland's temporary QB1 against the Eagles.
Taylor Swift went bonkers when Chiefs selected speedy WR in 2024
When Taylor Swift started dating Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce in 2023, she knew little about football. Now, the pop star is obsessed with the sport. She tracks who the Chiefs select in the NFL Draft. During her Wednesday debut on Kelce's podcast, "New Heights," Swift recalled going bonkers when Kansas City selected wide receiver Xavier Worthy with pick No. 28 in the 2024 draft. "Oh my god, I fell in love with [football]," Swift said. "I became obsessed with it. I became a person who was running through the halls of my house screaming, 'We drafted Xavier Worthy.' And my friends were like. 'Who's body snatched you? What do you mean we drafted Xavier Worthy?' I was screeching. I couldn't believe it." Kelce said Swift was the first person to tell him the Chiefs selected Worthy, who set a 40-yard dash record (4.21 seconds) at the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. "You were the first person to tell me that we drafted the fastest man in the draft," he said. "I couldn't believe it either. I was like, 'Is she right?' I'm gonna have to look this up. Did she get the wrong information here?' But, yeah, we traded up [from pick No. 32 with the Buffalo Bills]." Along with monitoring the Chiefs' drafts, Swift has learned more about the sport's various pass coverages and rules. The 14-time Grammy winner admitted she thought all offensive players played at the same time and didn't know what a first down was before she started dating Kelce. "We're talking about Cover 2, Cover 4, Cover 0, man coverage," she said. "I'm not ready to be an analyst right now, but give me 16 months." Perhaps one of the league's broadcast crews will let Swift make a brief appearance in the booth when she attends one of Kelce's games. Worthy, meanwhile, could continue to showcase why he made Swift ecstatic on draft night. In his rookie season, he had 59 receptions for 638 yards and six touchdown catches in 17 games. With the Chiefs expanding his role this season, he could be in for a more productive year.
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