KU basketball big man Paul Mbiya sets expectations for first season in Lawrence
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- KU adds 6-11 French league standout Paul Mbiya, known for rebounding and defense.
- Mbiya averaged 15.5 points, 11.6 rebounds, and 3.1 blocks in France's U21 league.
- French officials criticize NCAA 'looting' after 15 top prospects switch to U.S. teams.
Incoming Kansas freshman Paul Mbiya, a 6-foot-11, 260-pound men’s basketball center from Democratic Republic of Congo, answers to a nickname that he hopes accurately describes his game.
“They call me ‘Mobutu, The Dictator of the Paint,’’’ Mbiya told Pack Pride, a site that covers North Carolina State basketball. NC State signed the 20-year-old international prospect to a financial aid agreement May 2, only to grant his request for a release on June 18.
On Wednesday, Mbiya announced for KU over Oregon, Texas A&M, Kansas State and others.
“I wear No. 34 because of Giannis Antetokounmpo,” Mbiya said of the 6-foot-11, 245-pound native of Athens, Greece, whose parents are both from from Nigeria. “I like the fact that he plays hard on both end of the floor. I love the fact that he wants to dominate.”
Mbiya, who is about to begin his fourth year of organized basketball, proved worthy of his Mobutu nickname this past season while playing for ASVEL in France’s Pro A Under 21 league.
Paul Mbiya regularly filled the stat sheet
He averaged 15.5 points, 11.6 rebounds, 3.1 blocks and 1.1 steals to earn the league’s defensive player of the year award. He scored 23 points and grabbed 20 rebounds (13 on the defensive end) in his final game of the season.
NC State coach Will Wade spoke highly of Mbiya after his signing with the Wolfpack.
“Paul has a presence about him when you watch him that really jumps out at you,” Wade told Pack Pride. “He’s nearly 7-feet tall, but his wingspan (of 7-foot-8) and length make him appear even taller. He has the potential to be one of the best rim protectors and rebounders in college basketball, but also has a great offensive skill set. The sky is the limit for what he can become.”
KU coach Bill Self issued a similar glowing statement after adding Mbiya to the team at this late date.
“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, 6-9, 220 sophomore) and Bryson (Tiller, 6-10, 240 freshman),” Self said.
Will he need time to adjust to college basketball?
While accepting Self’s calling him an immediate impact player, Mbiya realizes he’s raw and there could be a period of adjustment.
“I will not be perfect, but I will be a tough soldier and play with pride for the school,” Mbiya said. “The Final Four is my goal. I hope that will be all my teammates’ goal, too. I’m bringing my pro and overseas experience but also my hustle, my energy and work ethic.”
Mbiya hit 70.6% of his shots but just 51.6% of his free throws last season. He had 69 blocked shots and 24 steals in 23 games.
“Put it simple Mbiya was a man among boys in France this past season, truly a special athlete with elite tools,” wrote Arman Jovic of PDT Scouting.
“Mbiya is a physical specimen with a chiseled frame,” wrote 247Sports analyst Adam Finkelstein. “Expect Mbiya, a former product of NBA Academy Africa, to be an immediate physical and energetic presence around both rims next year.”
Paul Mbiya offensive scouting report
Jacey Zembal of ncstate.rivals.com, watched Mbiya play this past season.
“Mbiya has a soft touch inside with one-handed runners from 5-7 feet out, but he’s not going to be a threat past 15 feet and he knows it. He doesn’t even pretend to be a 3-point threat, missing his three attempts on the season. What he’ll do along the perimeter is set strong picks,” Zembal wrote.
“Mbiya wants to dunk anything he can. He arrives to the rim with nasty intentions and good power. He can finish layups through contact. He tried 188 field-goal attempts this season and 149 were at the rim — 56 dunk attempts (making 55) and he was 63-of-90 on layups. He went 5-of-17 on hook shots and went 1-of-14 on jumpers. Defenses are going to have to respect him because if they don’t, he’ll get power dunks as a result. He will absolutely need to work on his free-throw shooting. He shot isn’t broke and with good coaching and repetition, he should improve,” Zembal added.
Of the current trend of several players from France heading to U.S. colleges, ESPN analyst Fran Fraschilla said on social media site X: “Why French basketball? Immigration from former French colonies in Africa has provided the country with tremendous athletes. The young player development by the various professional teams is excellent as well. They have overtaken European basketball for NBA prospects.”
President of NBL not happy with NCAA teams
Recently, Philippe Ausseur, president of the National Basketball League in France, expressed displeasure with U.S. colleges developing a pipeline for players such as Mbiya in France.
“Given the number of players approached, about 15 of whom have signed up (with NCAA schools), we can call it looting. The colleges are casting their net wide, even in Pro (League) B, and are dispossessing us of a certain number of our key players without us being able to react,” Ausseur said to basketball Website L’Equipe.
“We had identified the threat. What took us by surprise were the amounts (of NIL money offered players in France). We were expecting big contracts worth $350,000, but it’s $2 million. We were expecting half a dozen players to be approached, but it’s more than triple that.
“In recent weeks, we’ve been in contact with university representatives across the Atlantic, and even though a court ruling has established the beginnings of a framework, it’s not as clear-cut as some would have us believe. We’ve heard of agents trying to get clubs to sign certificates to demonstrate that their players are still amateurs. The situation remains unclear.”
Ausseur continued: “Our league is a hybrid, a mix of established Euroleague players and young talent. The paradox is that we’ll likely be able to keep the best, those guaranteed to be drafted high in the NBA. ... These second-market players can earn more money there (in U.S.) in one or two years than they can in 10 years here. If a player leaves, he will bring us zero income. We must do everything to keep them.”
He concluded that … “the ball has been fired. It will be impossible this season (to stop French players from playing at U.S. schools.). I’m more optimistic for the future, because I’ve sensed a general awakening that European basketball needs to stop suffering. The various bodies, FIBA, NBA and even USA Basketball, have engaged in discussions. We can hope to arrive at a concrete framework for this transfer process. There’s no point in casting aspersions on our young players or stigmatizing them. It’s complicated to say no to the offers they receive. We can bet that within two years the phenomenon will partially self-regulate. It’s up to us to provide answers by then.”
