The Kansas Jayhawks are beginning to find their footing on the recruiting trail.
No, Tyran Stokes was not the end-all be-all for Kansas’ season. If the small forward had landed at Kentucky, of course, it would have hurt, but as the Jayhawks found out last season, it is often about the talent you put around your star.
So with Stokes immediately becoming the focal point of Kansas’ team next season, head coach Bill Self and his staff have to employ the right talent beside him, which is where someone like 7-foot-2 center Christian Reeves comes in.
Coming out of the historic Oak Hill Academy, Reeves spent his first two seasons at Duke, where he spent two years playing a bit-part role for the Blue Devils, before moving on to the Clemson Tigers for one season, finding himself still lacking valuable minutes.
Reeves then hit the portal again and landed at the College of Charleston. As a Cougar, Reeves notched 11.1 points per game, to go along with 7.8 rebounds, all on a 65.4% field goal rate, as the Cougars finished with a 21-11 overall record and a second-place finish in the Coastal Athletic Association.
After entering the portal a third time, Reeves was rated as a four-star center and the nation’s No. 172nd overall prospect according to 247Sports.
"I think that Christian will have an immediate impact for us,” quoted head coach Bill Self earlier Friday as Reeves confirmed his place on next season’s roster.
"He really didn't have an opportunity to play a ton until College of Charleston and what was so impressive is he averaged over 11 points and eight rebounds a game with a hurt shoulder all season long.”
Despite playing banged-up, Reeves was nominated to the All-CAA Third Team and to the All-Defensive Team.
“It's exciting because he's dealt with so many injuries and for the first time in his college career, we can see the potential because it's the first time he's really been able to play,” finished Self.
Reeves was sidelined in his final year at Duke (13 games) and for parts of his single season at Clemson thanks to an ankle injury.
Where will Reeves play?
The Jayhawks are currently loading up with center talent. Thursday night, Grant Mordini joined Self and Co. Paul Mbiya is set to return for his sophomore season with the program, and Kansas is ringing in four-star center Davion Adkins, who could play the five but could also be a stout power forward if need be.
While Reeves’ immediate role is yet to be fully laid out, the best thing he may offer is experience lacking in an underclassman-laden team. Fellow transfer Keanu Dawes and Reeves have more than two years under their belts, something that, as of publishing, can’t be said for anyone else.
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