(BCSNN) — Kansas head coach Bill Self announced the signing of Keanu Dawes, a 6‑foot‑9, 225‑pound forward who spent the past two seasons at Utah and will join the Jayhawks as a senior for the 2026–27 season. Dawes brings three years of Division I experience, size, and proven Big 12 production to a Kansas frontcourt in need of an immediate contributor.

“I’ve had the chance to coach against Keanu the last two years and he is a very versatile perimeter forward,” Self said. “He’s extremely athletic, can stretch the defense, and we think he can guard one through five. We see him as an immediate impact player for us.”

Dawes is coming off a breakout 2025–26 season at Utah, where he started all 32 games and averaged 12.5 points and 8.8 rebounds, ranking fourth in the Big 12 in rebounding and posting 11 double‑doubles, seven of them in conference play. He shot 54.6% from the field and 31.7% from three, and delivered one of his best performances against Kansas on Feb. 7, finishing with 22 points and 12 rebounds at Allen Fieldhouse.

Before Utah, Dawes spent his freshman season at Rice, averaging 6.6 points and 4.1 rebounds and earning AAC All‑Freshman Team honors. Across 42 career starts, he has steadily improved as a scorer, rebounder, and defender, developing into a modern stretch‑four with switchability and physicality.

A Houston native and former four‑star recruit, Dawes starred at Stratford High School, where he averaged 15 points, seven rebounds, and six assists as a senior.

Dawes joins a Kansas signing class that already includes Davion Adkins, Luke Barnett, Taylen Kinney, and Trent Perry, giving the Jayhawks a blend of experience and youth as Self continues to shape the 2026–27 roster.