Almost any player standing at a monster 6-foot-11 will draw the attention of whoever is on the opposition based on that height alone. The next (and most difficult task) is developing that talent to its fullest extent.
For Kansas freshman Paul Mbiya, now is the time to begin that level-up. Mbiya has struggled for consistent minutes thus far, with just 46 minutes across 10 games. Of course, taking minutes away from Flory Bidunga is a task many will across the nation struggle with.
Mbiya has totaled 10 points, one block, and 16 rebounds on a 4-7 field goal rate.
In all honesty, Mbiya will likely be playing a bit-part role for Kansas in an ideal world. As only a freshman could honestly expect with the talent of Bidunga in front of him. However, with Mbiya’s exceptional stat line in the bank, which he has thanks to his career in the French Pro A League team system with ASVEL, there are plenty of reasons to be high on Mbiya.
Last season, Mbiya averaged 15.3 points, 11.7 rebounds, and 3.0 blocked shots per game.
Mbiya’s season-high of four points came in Kansas’ 90-61 win over the Davidson Wildcats, where his four points over a 2-3 mark from the field, in just three minutes, is what Mbiya can hope begins a freshman season that can see his role grow, especially when teams will be targeting Bidung, a who can become a foul magnet.
Kansas’ conference-opener takes place on January 3rd against the UCF Golden Knights. Tipoff is set for 1 p.m. CT with streaming available on Peacock.
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