Christian Reeves Still Weeks Away From Returning as Bill Self Prepares Kansas’ Frontcourt
Kansas basketball will have to wait a little longer before getting one of its most important frontcourt additions back on the floor.
Christian Reeves, the 7-foot-2 center who transferred to Kansas from Charleston, is still recovering from offseason shoulder surgery. Reeves underwent surgery on his labrum after playing through the shoulder injury last season. While he has been able to participate in some non-contact activities, he remains several weeks away from being cleared for full-contact basketball.
Kansas head coach Bill Self has made it clear that Reeves’ health will be important to the Jayhawks this season. When discussing the center during the offseason, Self called Reeves’ return “one of the biggest keys we have” because of what his size could bring to the roster.
Reeves is expected to give Kansas a different presence in the paint once he is fully healthy. Last season at Charleston, he averaged 11.1 points and 7.8 rebounds while playing 21.4 minutes per game. His size and ability to protect the rim could give Kansas another option defensively while also helping the Jayhawks on the glass.
For now, however, Kansas must continue preparing without its experienced center at full speed.
Self previously said Reeves could begin doing more range-of-motion work and rehabilitation while continuing non-contact activities. However, the coach indicated that contact would not be permitted until around the beginning of October, with the possibility of his return to contact work coming in early to mid-October.
“He’ll start doing a lot more range of motion and rehab,” Self said. “But the reality of it is, it’s not going to be contact with him probably until the first of October, something like that.”
That timeline means Reeves still has to go through another stage of his recovery before Kansas can determine exactly what his role will look like.
In the meantime, Paul Mbiya is expected to have an opportunity to establish himself at center. Self said the position was “there for Paul to take, at least initially,” giving the returning big man an important opportunity while Reeves works his way back.
Kansas has plenty of size on its roster, but Reeves provides a level of experience and physical presence that could become important once Big 12 play arrives.
The Jayhawks will not want to rush his recovery. Reeves’ return will depend on when he is medically cleared and able to handle contact consistently.
Until then, Kansas will have to wait for one of its biggest pieces to fully return.
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Jimmy Adeniran is a contributor to JayhawksROUNDTABLE. He can be reached at [email protected]
