Kansas is among the finalists vying for the commitment of Koby Brea, a standout transfer from Dayton renowned as the top 3-point shooter in the nation during the 2023-24 season. Alongside Duke, North Carolina, Kentucky, and UConn, KU has secured a spot on Brea’s top-five list, unveiled Monday through various media outlets such as 247Sports, ESPN, and On3.
Brea’s exceptional shooting prowess has attracted attention from elite college basketball programs. In his fourth season at Dayton, boasting one remaining year of eligibility, the 6-foot-6 guard from Washington Heights, New York, impressed with his remarkable accuracy from beyond the arc, converting 49.8% of his attempts, including 100 made 3-pointers out of 201 attempts. Despite primarily coming off the bench in 29 out of 33 games, he maintained an average of 11.1 points per game.
His proficiency from long range, marked by a significant lead over his closest competitors, underscores his value as a scoring threat. Even when scrutinizing his performance over the past three seasons, Brea consistently demonstrated an impressive shooting ability, maintaining a 39.4% success rate from beyond the arc.
Brea’s affinity for shooting has deep roots, stemming from his childhood admiration for legendary shooters like Steph Curry and Reggie Miller. His dedication to honing his shooting skills has translated into on-court success, evident in impactful performances such as his 10-point contribution during Dayton’s victory over KU in November 2021.
Securing Brea’s commitment presents a dual challenge for Kansas, requiring not only outcompeting other esteemed programs but also navigating its own scholarship limitations. With the NBA Draft decision pending for Johnny Furphy and Hunter Dickinson’s return, KU’s scholarship allocation is nearly full, accommodating three incoming freshmen, three transfers, and six returning players. This means that acquiring Brea or pursuing Alabama transfer Rylan Griffen, alongside potential departures by current players, necessitates strategic management to comply with scholarship regulations, including a one-scholarship penalty next season due to the Independent Accountability Resolution Process.
In a separate development, ESPN’s final player rankings for the 2024 men’s basketball recruiting class spotlight Kansas’ incoming freshmen trio. Center Flory Bidunga leads the pack with a five-star rating and a ranking of No. 17, closely followed by guard Labaron Philon and wing Rakease Passmore, both earning four-star ratings and securing spots within the top 32 rankings. These promising recruits, alongside transfers Riley Kugel, Zeke Mayo, and AJ Storr, are set to bolster Kansas’ roster this summer, pending finalizing official signings.
