Kansas’ Big Man Bet: Mbiya’s Rise | Big 12 Basketball News

Kansas basketball is betting big on 21-year-old center Paul Mbiya, a towering seven-footer from the DRC with an eye-popping 7’8” wingspan, to anchor the team this season. After a raw freshman campaign and a brief portal detour, Mbiya returns as a junior under NCAA rules, bringing undeniable physical upside. Though his stats last year were modest, he flashed potential in March Madness — scoring eight points and grabbing six rebounds — proving his size alone can disrupt opponents. Coach Self, known for developing raw centers like Udoka Azubuike, sees Mbiya’s athleticism as a game-changer, focusing now on defense, rebounding technique, and high-low play. Reeves’ injury opens the door, and while Mbiya isn’t expected to be a scoring threat, his length could make him more valuable than his stats suggest. Growing pains are likely, but by March Madness, Kansas hopes he’ll be a dominant force — not by being flashy, but by being physically unstoppable. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/5bf2e8958a752a64