In this Hearings newsletter:

1. Names to watch for KU’s last roster spot 👀

2. You’ve gotta see this Christian Braun video 🍾 

Support The Hearings…by sending this to KU friends and fam.

Was this forwarded to you? Subscribe here.

EVERYTHING IN THIS NEWSLETTER IS BASED UPON WHAT I AM HEARING FROM PEOPLE I TRUST. PLEASE DO NOT MISTAKE THIS FOR FACT OR FOR ACTUAL JOURNALISM, WHICH HAS VERIFICATION STANDARDS THAT I HAVE NOT ADHERED TO. I DO NOT GUARANTEE THE ACCURACY OF THE CONTENT.

Last Call for the Father’s Day Prize 🙏

The ball is here, folks, and it looks great. I’m pumped to give this to a subscriber. Thank you all for the support. We’re just getting started here with this Hearings journey together. 👀

All you need to do is subscribe (for free) before Father’s Day. And you can get extra entries by referring friends below 👇👇👇

Names to Watch for KU Hoops 👀

I’ve scooped hard to get names who could fill KU’s final roster spot since Chris Johnson decommitted 48 hours before move-in day. What I’ve found is a fairly complex situation.

There aren’t many players hanging out in the transfer portal right now, so the Jayhawks have to play the waiting game to see who pops as a grad transfer. KU is staying patient and won't force it here.

Plan A for the staff is to add one more player. It’s possible they don’t add another, but I don’t think it’s the preferred option right now. I wrote yesterday that KU wants to add a backup big man. After some further conversations, I think the Jayhawks take the best available player regardless of position.

The following players are either in the transfer portal — or are rumored to enter as grad transfer — this summer. At the very least, these are the types of players I’d expect KU to target:

Jordan Brown | Louisiana | Big | Grad Transfer 📉

• Brown is a former McDonald’s All-American who played for Nevada and Arizona before blossoming into a star at Louisiana. He’s entered the portal as a grad transfer and is one of the best players currently available.

• The 6’11” big man averaged 19.3 points and 8.6 rebounds per game and was first-team All-Sun Belt last year.

• Transparency moment: This has been a bit odd. I’d heard of mutual interest between Brown and Kansas on Wednesday and mentioned it in the VIP Discord. Then things shifted on me, and I was told Brown to KU was unlikely.

  • Keep this shift in the back of your mind. It may be worth coming back to once the roster is set.

    • Ultimately, it’s doubtful Brown would come to KU to play behind Hunter Dickinson. The role isn’t quite there.

Antonio Reeves | Kentucky | Wing | Possible Grad Transfer 🤔

• Kentucky’s second-leading scorer and the SEC’s 6th Man of the Year is in an odd situation. Jeff Goodman reports he’s taking summer classes at Illinois State, not Kentucky, which would indicate he’s trying to graduate and transfer. This could take a little while to play out.

• Reeves is a 6’5” shooting wing who hit 40% from three last year and put up 37 points at Arkansas. Dude can score.

• If Reeves hits the transfer portal, and it seems like he will, you’d have to think KU will reach out. He’d fit the offense, but it ultimately depends on what kind of role Reeves is looking for. He’ll be a significant addition to any team.

Jaylen Forbes | Tulane | Wing | Possible Grad Transfer 🤔

• Forbes is another big-time player rumored to graduate and transfer. The 6’5” scoring wing averaged 18.5 points and 5 rebs last season at Tulane and was 2nd-Team All-AAC.

• If Forbes hits the market, I’d think KU will reach out. He’d be a similar kind of addition to Reeves and would make an impact anywhere he goes.

• I’ve Heard Forbes wants to stay close to home in Mississippi, which would keep him in the Southeast. Still, he’s worth keeping an eye on.

Bo Aldridge | High School | Guard | 2023/4 Recruit 📉

• Three-star guard, Ketraleus “Bo” Aldridge, made the rounds after he took two unofficial visits to Lawrence. He’s a Topeka native and 2024 recruit with the potential to reclassify to 2023.

• I think it’s an unlikely addition at this point for KU. The Jayhawks seem to be holding out for a more experienced player.

• KU is Aldridge’s dream school, so seeing how he improves for 2024 is worth watching.

I’m curious what you think… Let me know who you want for KU in the poll below ⬇️

Christian Braun Had Fun 😂

Yeah, a 22-year-old is gonna have fun after his Championship Parade.