According to the BonaBlog’s sources, Mark Schmidt and his staff may be eyeing JP Kambola, a 6-9, 244 lb. forward from Marshall. Kambola is a Toronto native who has played three years with the Thundering Heard. The Bonnies recently landed big man transfer David Andoh, but the former Liberty player won’t be eligible until 206-17. Kambola would be able to play immediately and would be a much needed addition to a thin front line for the Bonnies.

Kambola is listed as a red shirt senior, and as such he will have one year of eligibility remaining should he pack his bags for Olean. He would be eligible to play this season should he finish his coursework this summer (we’re told anyway). Graduate players, such as Jordan Gathers, can play right away and do not need to “sit one to play one”. His addition would give SBU a much needed big body down low after Youssou Ndoye and Chris Dees departure.

Kambola averaged under one point a game in his first two seasons but scored 6.6 points and grabbed 4.3 rebounds in 16.5 minutes a game last year. He shot 54% from the floor and 69% from the foul line. The forward really showed signs of progress at the end of his senior season, scoring in double figures eight times in his last 13 games. Prior to that finish, Kambola scored 10 points or more just once through the last week of January; so he’s trending up.

While it doesn’t appear Kambola would be the sort of high impact forward the Bonnies would like, he could serve as a D’Lancy Carter/Chris Dees version 3.0. That is to say, someone to come off the bench and give Schmidt 10-12 minutes a game, grab some rebounds and occasionally score on the blocks. Nothing more, nothing less…still an important piece to have in a long season, especially when considering the Bonnies’ lack of front court depth.

We will update this story/rumor as we hear more information.