KU lands top international big man for 2025-26 roster. How much will he play?
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Kansas lands prized center Paul Mbiya for 2025-26 basketball season.
- Mbiya averaged 15.3 points, 11.7 rebounds and 3.0 blocks in France's U21 league.
- KU has up to two scholarships remaining under new NCAA cap (with self-imposed reduction).
One of the most highly recruited international prospects in the class of 2025 will play basketball at Kansas during the 2025-26 season.
Paul Mbiya, a 6-foot-11, 260-pound center from Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, who recently withdrew a commitment to North Carolina State, on Wednesday committed to KU, he announced on social media.
Mbiya told 247Sports he “signed with Kansas because of the opportunity to play for a top program with the most wins in the history. ... One of my mentors and vet at Asvel was (former KU center) Tarik Black and he really encouraged me to commit there. Joel Embiid went there too. ... Bill Self promises to be tough on me and challenge me everyday and I feel it’s exactly what I need.”
KU confirmed the signing Wednesday afternoon.
“We’ve had a good last couple of days recruiting with Kohl (Rosario) signing yesterday and Paul today,” Self said. “Paul is big. He’s a legit 6-11 with a wingspan of 7-foot, 8 inches. He fits very well with the way we play. He is an immediate impact guy, and he gives us much needed size to go along with Flory (Bidunga) and Bryson (Tiller).”
Mbiya played this past season with ASVEL in France’s ProA Under 21 League. He averaged 15.3 points on 70.6% shooting from inside the paint, 11.7 rebounds, 3.0 blocks and 1 steal in 23 games. Before playing for ASVEL he was part of the NBA Academy Africa. He was a Basketball Without Borders All-Star Selection in 2022.
Mbiya committed to the Wolfpack on May 4. However, he decommitted on June 18, asking out of his financial aid agreement.
He scored 23 points and grabbed 20 rebounds while playing 31 of 40 minutes in his final game of the 2024-25 season.
He had declared for the NBA Draft in April, but also left a return to college possible. He was recruited by N.C. State, Oregon, KU, Texas A&M, Kansas State and others. He is considered an elite shot blocker.
“Mbiya is a physical specimen standing just under 7-feet with a huge 7-foot-7 wingspan and a chiseled frame,” wrote 247Sports analyst Adam Finkelstein. “A former product of NBA Academy Africa, he played in France this year. Expect Mbiya to be an immediate physical and energetic presence around both rims next year (in 2025-26).”
According to 247Sports, Mbiya has a “max vertical leap of 34.6 inches at 240 pounds. He also has 27-centimeter hands (just over 11 inches) with a standing reach of 9-foot-5.”
KU currently has 12 scholarship players on the roster: freshmen Mbiya, Rosario, Darryn Peterson, Samis Calderon, Tiller and Corbin Allen; incoming NCAA portal transfers Melvin Council Jr., Jayden Dawson and Tre White and returnees Bidunga, Elmarko Jackson and Jamari McDowell.
KU has up to two scholarships to give in recruiting. Teams are now allowed 15 scholarship players, however KU is limited to 14 this year as a self-imposed NCAA sanction is completed.
Freshman scholarship football player Jaden Nickens, who has said he wants to play football and basketball at KU, would count against the limit of 14 if he does indeed play hoops. He is not currently on the basketball roster for 2025-26.
This story was originally published June 25, 2025 at 10:30 AM.
