Kansas basketball still appears to be taking a patient approach with Christian Reeves, and Bill Self says the big man’s recovery timeline hasn’t really moved.
Back in the summer, Self said Reeves would be limited to non-contact work until early-to-mid October. That update came after Self revealed Reeves had played last season at Charleston with an injured shoulder. The situation left the 7-foot-2, 260-pound fifth-year center with a path to help Kansas this season, but also with some catching up to do in the competition for a starting spot against 7-foot, 255-pound junior center Paul Mbiya.
As July winds down, Self’s latest comments suggest that remains the plan.
“Should (Reeves) be ready by season, full speed? Absolutely,” Self said Wednesday as the offseason progressed for KU.
“When he’ll be live, full contact? I don’t know … if that’s early October or middle October or whenever it’ll be, depending on if he doesn’t have any setbacks.
But when he comes back, we’re hopeful he’s five-on-zero full speed. Just no contact.
So, he won’t be behind in what we’re trying to put in or anything like that.”
Kansas still has frontcourt questions to answer, even with Mbiya back from last season’s team. Flory Bidunga is gone after transferring to Louisville, leaving a significant amount of production to replace.
Bidunga earned first-team All-Big 12 honors and was also the league’s defensive player of the year. Mbiya showed flashes late in the NCAA tournament, but Self will need more from him if Kansas is going to sort out the middle of the floor.
The Jayhawks will get a few early chances to evaluate that group in exhibition play, with all three games coming at home. Kansas opens against Pittsburg State on Oct. 16, then faces Louisville on Oct. 21 and Duke on Oct.
- Those games should offer a clearer look at where the frontcourt stands once Reeves is closer to full go.
KU’s roster may be close to complete, but Self’s comments make it clear it isn’t locked in just yet.
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