Jack Whitman's impact on his new team was going to be worthwhile. He may never play a minute for them, though. The forward has reportedly decided to leave the University of Kansas - the school, not just the basketball team. It's not clear why he chose to leave school, as it's a private decision. All that's known is that it will negatively impact the Jayhawks basketball team for the coming year.
Whitman's defection
The news of Whitman's intentions was first reported by ESPN's Jeff Goodman on Wednesday night. Many fans reacted in shock, while others were more indifferent.
He wasn't a big addition for Kansas, even as far as transfers go for the team. Still, it's a bit jarring for someone to leave the program in the middle of the summer. It creates questions as to whether or not it's a personal issue and whether or not he will return to the school down the road; likely ruling him out for the whole season seems drastic.
Kansas forward Jack Whitman is not expected to play for the Jayhawks this season, source told ESPN. Has decided to leave school.
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanESPN) July 20, 2017
Whitman averaged 5.5 points and 3.6 rebounds per game with the William & Mary Tribe over the course of three years. He would have been eligible to suit up for the Jayhawks this season; the team needed him for some frontcourt depth.
It's unclear if he will try to transfer again or continue his basketball career overseas - ironically, Kansas is about to head on a tour overseas. Whitman will not be joining them, though.
Implications for Kansas season
It now appears that the Kansas Jayhawks will have just eight scholarship players to start the season. Arizona State transfer Sam Cunliffe will not be eligible until the end of the first semester.
They already lost Landen Lucas to graduation and Carlton Bragg Jr. to a transfer. They obviously also lost Josh Jackson to the NBA Draft (and Frank Mason III, for that matter). Whitman would've at least been a warm body on the court.
Still, the Jayhawks should withstand the loss of Whitman and remain a championship contender.
Billy Preston is a five-star player on his way in. Udoka Azubuike is a former four-star player. Then, there's Marvin Bagley III. There are rumors that the top prospect could reclassify and join the class of 2017. He is not committed to Kansas, but the team is a favorite to land him in the recruitment landscape next season. If he reclassifies and ends of joining the Jayhawks, the whole picture changes. The team immediately becomes a national title contender and the mid-summer loss of Whitman becomes an afterthought for the season.
