Kansas head coach Bill Self has been vocal about the potential impact of junior center Paul Mbiya heading into the upcoming campaign. With the offseason transfer of Flory Bidunga to Louisville and senior center Christian Reeves still nursing an injury, Self sees an opening for Mbiya to step into a more prominent role.
Mbiya, a 7‑foot‑tall, 255‑pound athlete, showed marked improvement in both athleticism and confidence during his first year in Lawrence. Self highlighted the player’s leaner physique and the work he put in over the summer, noting that the center’s skill set has expanded beyond traditional post play.
A Competitive Frontcourt
The Jayhawks are expected to add more frontcourt talent to the roster, which could intensify the battle for minutes. However, Self remains confident that Mbiya’s continued development will give him the edge needed to secure a starting spot when the season opens.
Last season, Mbiya logged only 5.1 minutes per game across 21 appearances, but his contributions grew during the NCAA tournament when he saw increased playing time. Those moments hinted at the upside that could make a difference for a program that has struggled to advance past early tournament rounds in recent years.
Beyond individual statistics, the team’s broader goal is to break a multi‑year streak of early exits. Coach Self believes that if Mbiya can translate his summer gains into consistent on‑court production, Kansas will have a better chance of making a deeper tournament run and restoring its reputation as a perennial contender.