Kansas is getting a little closer to having Christian Reeves back in the mix, and that matters for a frontcourt that needs bodies as the 2026-27 season draws near.
Bill Self said Wednesday that Reeves is about 90% recovered after offseason labrum surgery on his shoulder. The 7-foot-2 center had the procedure on May 7 after playing through the injury during his lone season at Charleston. He still hasn’t been cleared for full-contact work, but Self sounded confident that the finish line is in sight.
“He’s good but he’s not 100%,” Self said. “He’s not cleared yet (for full contact). I think he’s close, but he can’t get in a tussle or dive on the floor or anything like that.”
For Kansas, the update comes at the right time. The Jayhawks lost Flory Bidunga and Bryson Tiller from last season’s roster, and Reeves is expected to be part of the answer inside once he’s fully healthy. His size and experience give Self another real option at center, especially after Kansas brought him in following a productive run at Charleston.
Reeves averaged 11.1 points and 7.8 rebounds in 21.4 minutes per game there, after previous stops at Duke and Clemson. That track record is exactly why Kansas is being patient now. He can do some basketball-related work, but the staff isn’t putting him in situations that could put extra strain on the shoulder.
Self said the goal is to have Reeves back to full speed by the middle of October, assuming nothing goes wrong along the way.
“But he’ll be full speed unless we have a setback - full speed by mid-October for sure, well before the start of the season,” Self said.
That timeline should allow Reeves to get back into full practices before Kansas opens the regular season. Until then, Paul Mbiya and the rest of the Jayhawks’ frontcourt will keep working, with Reeves continuing his recovery in the background. If everything stays on track, Kansas will have an experienced 7-footer available well before the season begins.
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