Kansas basketball: Bench remains biggest question mark heading into 2023-24 season

Parker Braun

The one bench player who does offer experience coming off the bench is senior forward Parker Braun.

Braun is in his fifth year of college hoops after playing two years at Missouri and two years at Santa Clara. This past year, Braun averaged a solid 7.7 points and 5.8 rebounds per game for the Broncos.

With Self planning to redshirt junior Zach Clemence, Braun will be counted upon to step up in case of injuries or foul trouble to either Adams or Dickinson this year – but can he?

Braun played sparingly at Missouri, averaging just six minutes as a freshman and nine minutes as a sophomore during his two seasons in Columbia. And the competition he faced at Santa Clara is nowhere near the level of competition he’ll face with the type of schedule KU plays in both the nonconference and Big 12.

You’d think with the tutelage of Self and his staff – along with the type of competition he now faces in practice every day– that Braun will be an improved player this year. But the fact of the matter is, there is a big drop-off in talent between Braun and Adams, and an even bigger drop-off between him and Dickinson.

Although he’s the most experienced player coming off the bench for KU, Braun and his freshmen teammates will all have to prove they can answer the call when needed this upcoming season.