Photo Credit: Bobby Murray
After suffering a serious injury this off-season, most expected that PG Jonathan Kabongo would miss the entire 2019-20 season for Virginia Tech. However, head coach Mike Young told media at the ACC's basketball kickoff event that Kabongo May be able to play during the main portion of ACC play this season.
#Hokies basketball coach Mike Young said he hasn't ruled out sophomore guard Jonathan Kabongo playing this season.
— Mike Barber (@RTD_MikeBarber) October 8, 2019
"We're not, by any stretch of the imagination, closing the book on him playing later this year." Said Kabongo could possibly return as soon as January.
There's no doubt that Kabongo would provide valuable experience and depth for a young Virginia Tech team looking for experience. If Kabongo is able to return, he'll give the Hokies a fourth player with significant experience playing in the ACC alongside Wabissa Bede, PJ Horne, and Isaiah Wilkins.
However, it seems premature to expect Kabongo to be able to return this season but the door is certainly open. It also wouldn't be surprising to still see him redshirt given the small quantity of games that he may be available for if he doesn't return by early to mid January.
With Bede and Jalen Cone likely to dominate the point guard, a Kabongo return would likely see him work largely at shooting guard with his athleticism being seen as a change of pace option.
In his first season, Kabongo played in 21 games averaging 1.5 points, 0.6 rebounds, and 0.2 assists in 4.9 minutes per game. His best game came against Pitt as he made a pair of threes in addition to having 2 rebounds, 1 assists, and 1 steal on the way to helping VT pick up a victory on the road.
