Kansas Lands South Dakota State Transfer G Zeke Mayo
Bill Self and Kansas have landed one of the most coveted players in the 2024 transfer portal cycle as South Dakota State guard Zeke Mayo chose the Jayhawks over a host of other potential suitors on Tuesday.
Mayo averaged 18.8 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 3.5 assists last season for the Jackrabbits while shooting 39.1% from three-point range.
Mayo ranks as the No. 29 player in the transfer portal, according to On3’s portal rankings, and gives Kansas their second highly-ranked transfer in the last couple of days, joining Florida SG Riley Kugel, who committed on Easter Sunday.
Mayo made his announcement on social media early Tuesday evening, sending KU fans into a frenzy of excitement.
Mayo isn’t just a big get for the Jayhawks, but also provides a very cool homecoming story for the folks of Lawrence, Kansas.
A native of Lawrence, Mayo returns to his hometown to play for one of the biggest brands in basketball after finding resounding success at South Dakota State, even winning Summit League Player of the Year.
Now, he’ll return to the place he called home, and play for the coach and team that he rooted for growing up. Plus, it helps that he’ll be surrounded by a cast of superstars that hope to get Kansas back to a Final Four in 2024-25.
“We obviously are super excited to just be a part of a team like this, who has so much experience and depth and growth that there is still to make,” Mayo told KUSports.com. “This team is very gritty, they’re talented inside and out, I’m just excited to get to play alongside a fantastic point guard in Dajuan (Harris) and also a center who can score from inside and out.”
Kansas has yet to have any players hit the portal, meaning it is set to use a total of 12 scholarships next season. Whether that will change soon or not is up for debate, but one thing is certain. With a host of difference-makers returning, and some key portal additions, KU appears to be building a formidable squad in 2024-25.
