Two transfer centers, a proven producer and a towering wildcard, visit Lawrence as Bill Self targets a crucial frontcourt anchor.
Kansas is still searching for answers in the frontcourt, and this week could be telling.
With Flory Bidunga no longer in the picture, Bill Self and his staff are bringing in two very different options to potentially fill that void. The goal is simple: find a true center who can anchor the paint for the Kansas Jayhawks heading into next season. Right now, that piece is missing.
KU already added Keanu Dawes to help replace Bryson Tiller at the four, but the five spot is still wide open. Enter Charleston transfer Christian Reeves and USC big man Gabe Dynes, two visits, two completely different evaluations. Reeves is the more proven option.
The 7-foot-2 center finally broke through this past season at Charleston after stops at Duke and Clemson. In his first real opportunity as a starter, he averaged 11.1 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks while shooting an efficient 65.4% from the field. He earned All-CAA honors and thrived doing the dirty work, rebounding, finishing inside, and protecting the rim. That’s exactly what Kansas needs.
Reeves posted a 27.2% offensive rebound rate and ranked in the 92nd percentile in 2-point scoring, showing he can be a true interior presence. He’s not flashy, but he’s productive, and more importantly, experienced. If KU wants someone who can step in right away and stabilize the frontcourt, Reeves makes a ton of sense.
Dynes, on the other hand, is more of a wildcard.
At 7-foot-5, the USC transfer would instantly become the tallest player in program history. The size jumps off the page, and so does his rim protection potential. But the production hasn’t matched it, just 2.9 points and 2.3 rebounds per game in a limited role last season. He’s more projection than production.
Unlike Reeves, Dynes wouldn’t be a direct replacement for Bidunga. Instead, he profiles more as depth, potentially filling the role if Paul Mbiya follows through on his transfer plans. Bottom line is Kansas is still piecing this roster together.
Reeves feels like the safe, plug-and-play option. Dynes is the upside swing. And with the portal window moving quickly, Self and his staff don’t have much time to get it right.