Kansas basketball head coach Bill Self is still lining up possible candidates to fill the last roster spot on the 2026-27 team. Add another name to the list in Emmanuel Ogbole.
Ogbole played three years at Rutgers after one season in the junior college ranks. The center has one more year of eligibility left. The Locked on Jayhawks podcast discussed his ability to rebound and block shots and is a good listen in general.
Is Emmanuel Ogbole the missing piece for #kubball at Center?
— Locked On Jayhawks (@LO_Jayhawks) August 3, 2026
- Deep dive on Ogbole's strengths (elite rebounding, shot-blocking)
- How he fits with Bill Self’s roster needs
- Impact on KU’s frontcourt rotation
LINKS TO THE SHOW: https://t.co/eTrCEKk2zg pic.twitter.com/pK0yqZBKzo
Self is obviously intent on filling the final roster spot with an interior player. Christian Reeves' injury and the uncertainty of when he can play have left the Jayhawks a bit thin. Serbian center Mihailo Musikic committed to Kansas in July, but it is looking less and less likely that the NCAA will clear him to play. The Jayhawks also are interested in former Michigan State big man, Jaxson Kohler, who is being targeted by Kentucky, BYU, and the Spartans.
Emmanuel Ogbole might be just what Kansas basketball coach Bill Self needs
Ogbole hasn't played that many minutes in his three years at Rutgers, though his playing time has increased each season. He averaged just 15.4 minutes a game for his career, but last season, he played 19.0 minutes per contest.
Ogbole's expectations of playing time might not be as high as Kohler's, who was a two-year starter with the Spartans. Ogbole may allow more of a center by committee, sharing time with returnee Paul Mbiya and freshman Davion Adkins. A rotation of these three players allows both of the current Jayhawks plenty of court time to get the development they need, while Ogbole offers an experienced backup who can bring energy off the bench.
Last season Ogbole averaged 6.0 rebounds and 1.2 blocks a game during his 19 minutes. That is pretty good efficiency. He isn't much of a threat offensively but can finish at the rim, shooting 58 percent from the field for his career. He's never attempted a three-pointer. Ogbole does struggle from the free-throw line, hitting only 52.7 percent of his career attempts, so he isn't someone you want in at the end of a tight game.
Still, he might be a perfect rotational piece who gets 10 minutes of action a game. He provides insurance against foul trouble or injuries to Mbiya or Adkins. Mbiya did have a tendency to foul last year, averaging nearly a foul per five minutes.
Ogbole isn't nearly as polished or experienced as Kohler, but he did play against the same level of competition, as both played for Big 10 teams. There shouldn't be any question that he can be effective against the level of opposition Kansas will see throughout the season.
Self continues to target frontline players for the final roster spot, for good reason, and that signals the end of the chances of Melvin Council Jr. returning to Kansas should he win his case against the NCAA.
The Jayhawks do need another player on the interior as insurance. Kohler would be a great addition, but Ogbole might be the better overall fit for this particular roster.
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