Kansas men's basketball released a throwback uniform on Sunday morning, and it goes all the way back. "In honor of the 1952 NCAA National Champion Kansas Jayhawks," the team posted, with adidas Originals and a photo shoot inside Allen Fieldhouse. The 1952 team was the first Kansas team to win the NCAA Tournament.
It is a cream jersey made to look like the original, and it is a good one. It would be a great one without the patch on the chest.
Quick Answers
- What does the Kansas 1952 throwback look like? A cream jersey with KANSAS arched in red outlined in blue, red block numbers outlined in blue, and red, white and blue stripes on the collar and arm holes. The cream shorts have red and blue striped side panels, a striped waistband and the Jayhawk on the leg.
- Why 1952? It honors the 1952 Kansas team, the program's first NCAA Tournament champion.
- Who made it? adidas Originals. The trefoil logo is on the chest and the shorts.
- Can you buy it? Yes. Kansas says it is on sale at Jayhawk Outfitters in Allen Fieldhouse and on jayhawkoutfitters.com.
- Our grade: B.
The Jersey
Photo: Kansas Men's Basketball
The base is cream, not bright white, so it reads like an old wool jersey instead of a new one. KANSAS arches across the chest in red letters outlined in blue, and the numbers are big red blocks with a blue outline. The collar and arm holes carry thin red, white and blue stripes. On the back, the names are in blue block letters over the numbers.
Photo: Kansas Men's Basketball
The shorts are where the old-school look comes through most. They have a red, white and blue striped waistband, the same stripes at the hem, and red and blue barber-pole stripes down the side panels. The Jayhawk sits on one leg, with the adidas trefoil on the other.
Photo: Kansas Men's Basketball
The best detail is one you would only see up close: a gold tag with the NCAA championship trophy stitched inside the back collar. That is the kind of touch that makes a throwback feel like it means something.
This is not the first time Kansas has gone back to 1952. Kansas also wore replicas of the 1952 title team's uniforms in February 2012, according to Rock Chalk Talk.
What's Wrong With It
The patch. The Big 12's Monster Energy badge sits on the upper chest, a black square with the green Monster claw next to the Big XII logo. On a regular modern jersey you might not notice it. On a cream throwback built to look like 1952, it is the first thing your eye goes to, and it does not belong there. It pulls your eye away from everything that makes the jersey good. There is also an XRP sponsor patch near the other shoulder.
The rest is about missing pop. The red and blue are good, but on a cream base the jersey can look a little washed out from across the floor. And the Jayhawk on the shorts is too small. It is the best logo in college basketball, and it is tucked down by the hem.
Kansas is going for an exact replica of the 1952 look, and that is a cool idea. But a replica with a modern energy-drink patch on the chest is not really a replica.
Our Grade: B
It is a classy throwback with a real story, and the gold trophy tag is a great detail. Take off the Monster Energy patch, make the Jayhawk bigger and give it a little more color, and this is an A.
Photo: Kansas Men's Basketball
For more on college throwbacks, see what would happen if every college football team wore its throwback full time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Kansas basketball throwback jersey for 2026-27?
A cream adidas Originals uniform honoring the 1952 NCAA champion Jayhawks, with an arched red KANSAS, red numbers outlined in blue and red, white and blue trim.
Why is Kansas wearing a 1952 jersey?
To honor the 1952 Kansas team, which won the program's first NCAA Tournament championship.
What is the patch on the Kansas throwback jersey?
The Big 12 conference patch, sponsored by Monster Energy: a black badge with the Monster claw and the Big XII logo on the upper chest. The jersey also has an XRP sponsor patch near the other shoulder.
Where can I buy the Kansas 1952 throwback jersey?
Kansas says it is sold at Jayhawk Outfitters inside Allen Fieldhouse and online at jayhawkoutfitters.com.
Has Kansas worn a 1952 throwback before?
Yes. Kansas wore replicas of the 1952 championship uniforms in February 2012.
Who makes Kansas basketball uniforms?
adidas. This throwback is from the adidas Originals line, which is why it has the trefoil logo instead of the modern adidas mark.
What grade did ColorWay Sports give the Kansas throwback?
A B. It is a strong throwback with a gold NCAA trophy tag inside the collar, but the Monster Energy patch hurts the old-school look, and the Jayhawk on the shorts should be bigger.
