Kansas forward Perry Ellis (34) celebrates after forcing turnover by Tennessee forward Derek Reese (23) during the first half on Friday, Nov. 28, 2014 at the HP Field House in Kissimmee, Florida.

Now that Perry Ellis has eased tension about next season’s outlook by announcing his return, the Kansas University basketball program has one necessity and one luxury remaining.

Landing a quality big man is a must, either via graduate transfer or a high school signing. That would leave Kansas without a hole on its 2015-16 roster.

Then shopping would be restricted to the elite lot, where two names stand above the rest: Malik Newman and Jaylen Brown. Newman didn’t need to have a strong McDonald’s All-American game to convince some he’s the most talented high school basketball player in the nation. Newman, a 6-foot-3, 180-pound, do-it-all guard from Jackson, Mississippi, laid an egg in Chicago in the burger exhibition, which did nothing to dissuade his many suitors.

He looks like a mini-

LeBron on his highlight tapes, featuring a build beyond his years, an ultra-soft touch with deep range and loud finishes at the rim. He and Brown could improve any roster, but even if they head elsewhere, KU can upgrade significantly from a year ago, provided the final big-man piece completes the puzzle.

Mike Thorne, a 6-11, 270-pound graduate from Charlotte, averaged 10.1 points and 7.3 rebounds for the 49ers this past winter. He doesn’t have the flashy athleticism and skills to match some of the Class of 2015 big men, but with a mature build and game, he represents more of a sure thing in lending immediate help. Cheick Diallo, the 6-9, 225-pound power forward from Centereach, New York, is another attractive option because of his athletic ability and high motor more than because of his McDonald’s Most Outstanding Player hardware.

No possible news on the recruiting front could top Ellis’ decision to return. He’s a legitimate candidate to win the Senior Class Award and for first-team All-America honors.

In the nine games leading up to the West Virginia comeback victory in Allen Fieldhouse, in which Ellis injured his knee, the forward from Wichita averaged 18.8 points, 8.6 rebounds, shot .538 from the field and made half of his eight three-pointers.

After returning from the injury, Ellis clearly was playing in pain as reported by every media outlet — which made coach Bill Self’s statement that the media had no idea how badly he was hurt a strange one — wincing, not jumping nearly as well. He toughed it out and gave it all he had, earning the respect of teammates and fans alike. Anybody who’s not fired up Ellis is returning hasn’t been paying attention.