Kansas Basketball Continues Their Red-Hot Recruiting Streak

Kansas has landed a key piece in its 2026 recruiting class, picking up a commitment from four-star shooting guard Luke Barnett, who announced his pledge on Friday. Barnett, ranked No. 113 nationally in the 247Sports Composite, chose the Jayhawks over a group that included Miami, TCU, and UNLV, among others.

A 6-foot-3 shooter out of Mater Dei (CA), Barnett has made a name for himself with deep range, confident rhythm shooting, and a quick trigger off the catch. He’s coming off a strong summer in the Nike EYBL circuit, where he shot 37% from three and showed some improved shot creation off the bounce.

He’s not a high-flying, above-the-rim guy, but he’s skilled, decisive, and fits a clear mold that Kansas has prioritized in recent years: guards who can stretch the floor and play within the flow of Self’s offense without needing to dominate the ball.

The Jayhawks didn’t need a massive splash in this cycle, but they did need shot-makers. Barnett brings that in a reliable, no-frills package. He’s not going to be on many one-and-done projections, but that’s not really the point with this commitment. He’s a guy who can spend a few years in Lawrence, develop physically, and become a steady presence in the backcourt rotation. Think along the lines of how Kansas has used guys like Christian Braun early in his career, off-ball spacing threats who gradually took on more responsibility.

For Kansas, beating out Miami and TCU is more than just a nice PR win. The Hurricanes have been aggressive NIL players under Jai Lucas, and TCU has quietly become a consistent recruiter under Jamie Dixon, especially with in-region kids. UNLV was also very involved and pushed hard late, hoping to keep him on the West Coast. But in the end, the Kansas pitch won out, and it wasn’t complicated. They sold Barnett on a development plan and a long-term role in one of the most stable and successful programs in the country.

This isn’t a commitment that’s going to blow up the front page, but it’s one of those wins that championship teams build quietly. A smart guard, a clean jumper, and a coaching staff that knows how to use him. Kansas got a good one.