Growing up in Omaha, just a few hours from Lawrence, Jayden Dawson always knew what Kansas basketball represented. Even from a distance, the Jayhawks’ tradition was impossible to ignore.
“Even if I lived as far away from Kansas as possible, I’d still know about Kansas,” the 6-foot-5 senior guard said after KU’s 76–57 win over Princeton on Saturday, where he posted six points, three rebounds, two assists and two steals.
But then he shared something no one expected to hear.
“I actually grew up a Duke fan,” Dawson admitted.
Now, he’s preparing to face the Blue Devils for the very first time — and he’ll do it inside Madison Square Garden on Tuesday night when Kansas (3–1) meets No. 4 Duke (4–0) in the Champions Classic.
Finding His Place at Kansas
Dawson transferred to KU after three seasons at Loyola Chicago, where he was a reliable shooter and a major scoring option. He’s still adjusting to his new role off the bench, logging 24 minutes against Princeton and providing steady contributions across the board.
Facing Duke carries a personal twist, sure. But he also says things feel different now.
“It doesn’t hit the same now that Coach K isn’t there,” Dawson said. “That’s when I was a fan. When Scheyer got there, I was older, so I wasn’t too much of a Duke fan anymore.”
Even so, he knows what this matchup means for Kansas.
“It doesn’t get any bigger — two blue bloods going at it,” he said. “We already took an L to North Carolina, so we’ve got a chip on our shoulder. And it’s Duke. If you’re not ready to play Duke, something’s wrong with you.”
Trying to Heat Up From Deep
Dawson’s three-point stroke hasn’t fully come together yet this season. He’s shooting 4-of-14 from deep (28.6%), a drop from the 36% range he posted at Loyola.
But he’s convinced the breakthrough is coming soon.
“I’m trying to find my rhythm,” he said. “I make one every game, but not the way I expect. I know it’s coming.”
His game-by-game three-point totals:
1-for-5 vs. Green Bay
1-for-2 vs. North Carolina
1-for-3 vs. Texas A&M–Corpus Christi
1-for-4 vs. Princeton
“I’m a shooter — I’ve always been a shooter,” he said. “I just have to keep shooting it. I’m a senior, I want to stay on the court, do the little things. The shots will fall.”
The Big 12 Adjustment
Jumping from Loyola to Kansas meant encountering bigger bodies, more physicality, and a whole different level of size.
“The size difference is the biggest thing,” Dawson said. “Loyola had a lot of skill, but the size here is different. I’m still adjusting.”
One thing he doesn’t take lightly: wearing Kansas across his chest.
“To wake up every day and put this jersey on… that’s something millions dream about,” he said. “It’s the biggest blessing.”
He battled some knee discomfort earlier in the fall, but Bill Self says that’s behind him.
“He’s healthy,” Self said. “I expect him to play more and get into a groove.”
Now the Moment Arrives
Dawson spent his childhood watching Duke from afar. Now, he’s stepping onto the court against them — at Madison Square Garden — in one of the sport’s biggest showcases.
Surreal? Absolutely.
But he’s not shying away from it.
And if his shot decides to wake up at the right time, Tuesday could be the night everything clicks.
