Mfiondu Kabengele - 2019 NBA Draft Prospect

[timvp]

https://i.imgur.com/5dvuigo.jpg

Mfiondu Kabengele

School: Florida
Position: C/PF
Age: 21
Height: 6-foot-10.25
Weight: 256.2 pounds
Wingspan: 7-foot-3
Draft Range: 25 to 40
Combine Results? Yes (https://stats.nba.com/draft/combine-anthro/)

Why: Built like a Mack truck. Was the second heaviest player at the combine but only had 5.1% body fat. Long winspan, big hands, overwhelming power. Dikembe Mutombo's nephew is a very good athlete: fast-twitch jumper, speedy in the open court, unusually quick feet on the perimeter. Good instincts for rebounding. Shooting stroke looks good and has posted promising shooting statistics (36.9% on threes, 76.1% at the line as a sophomore).

Why Not: Ball hog at Florida State. Wasn't interested in passing at all. Had more than four times as many turnovers as assists. Timing when going for blocks isn't as good as his bloodlines would suggest -- racked up fouls at an alarming rate. Poor fundamentals on both ends and isn't a team player in any aspect right now.

Spurs Fit: Needs time in Austin to work on fundamentals. If his shot translates to the NBA and his quickness holds up against pro athletes, could avoid being pigeonholed at center.

Spurs Comparison - Ceiling: More Skilled Samaki Walker

Spurs Comparison - Floor: Selfish Ian Mahinmi

College Stats (https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/mfiondu-kabengele-1.html)
Highlight Video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3GfmVdOdOZM&t=172s)
Tankathon Profile (http://www.tankathon.com/players/mfiondu-kabengele)
HoopsHabit Profile (https://hoopshabit.com/2019/03/28/2019-nba-draft-mfiondu-kabengele-low-on-draft-boards-despite-skill-set/)

[Marco]

One of my favorite at 19

[TrainOfThought5]

He sounds intriguing.

[Capt Bringdown]

LOL Samaki Walker, now there's a laughable name from the past:



Samaki Walker Got Pulled Over With Weed And Steroids, So He Tried To Eat The Weed -- >> (https://deadspin.com/samaki-walker-got-pulled-over-with-weed-and-steroids-s-5826352)

After being pulled over in his 2002 Mercedes-Benz during a routine traffic stop in Kingman (Ariz.), Walker attempted to eat eight grams of marijuana before he was arrested.
Officials seized a total of approximately 10 grams of marijuana, in addition to some prescription drugs and eight bottles of liquid steroids.
Walker still plays professional basketball for Al-Jalaa Aleppo in Syria, where he said that steroids are legal. Unfortunately for him, they are illegal in Arizona and he was charged with a misdemeanor.

It gets worse:

The Mavs took Samaki Walker ninth overall in 1996, between Kerry Kittles and Erick Dampier, four picks before Kobe Bryant, and six before Steve Nash. Walker hasn't seen any NBA game action since December 2005, so you don't need Jay Bilas to point out that he's a bust.

[BatManu20]

I’ve liked him for a while now. He’s a poor man’s Al Horford. Plays with a lot of passion and energy. 6’10 with long arms. I think he’s got some upside too, especially since he can already shoot the 3 pretty decently for a 5. He’s got to carve out and accept his role as a backup big in the NBA though.

[kobyz]

lol the worst nba player of all time as his ceiling...

[RC_Drunkford]

I want him at 29, not worth 19

[Nathan89]

I'd take him at 29.

[D-Robinson 50 fan]

He is already more skilled than Walker ever was. Lol.

He is one of the players I really like in this draft that's going to get drafted low. He is going to be a solid role player instantly for most of the teams who draft him.

[BackHome]

No problem at 29.

[Dejounte]

This guy is g league fodder.

[J_Paco]

Does he have the skillset to become a lesser version or clone of Serge Ibaka?

Seems to have a very similar body type and build, so I wouldn't be against Spurs taking a flier on him with the 29th pick.

Especially, when they likely won't be bringing over Nikola Milutinov.

[kobyz]

Does he have the skillset to become a lesser version or clone of Serge Ibaka?

Seems to have a very similar body type and build, so I wouldn't be against Spurs taking a flier on him with the 29th pick.

Especially, when they likely won't be bringing over Nikola Milutinov.

If you want an ibaka clone in this draft it's Charles Beasey

[ZeusWillJudge]

I don't like his name. If his first name was something like "Bingo", I could get behind drafting him. "Bingo Kabengele" is a much cooler name. And every time he makes a 3, the announcers can say, "BINGOOOO!!!!"

His parents just didn't plan ahead.

[D-Robinson 50 fan]

He is already a solid shooter and shot blocker who is 6'10" in shoes with good wingspan. I think he can help teams right out the gate. Especially teams who arent going to make him be something he isn't or rush him to be more than he is

[kobyz]

his ceiling comparison should be LaMarcus Aldridge honestly! spurs very likely would be able to grab one promise big with #19 as there are some of them in the draft and at least one is bound to fall to them, mfiodu is an option...

[BackHome]

I want a player that has some swag someone who hates to loose and plays with an attitude I like him and Claxton and Fernando.

[D-Robinson 50 fan]

Did anybody see or hear anything about how he played in the combine 5on5 games?

[Russ]

Did anybody see or hear anything about how he played in the combine 5on5 games?

I'm pretty sure he didn't . . .

[D-Robinson 50 fan]

I'm pretty sure he didn't . . .

Thanks, much appreciated with the info.

I really think if we can get get this guy (if we haven’t already drafted a big with the 19th) he would get run with the main team pretty quickly if he stays healthy.

[BackHome]

I am torn between him and Nic Claxton?

[ATXSpursfan]

I am torn between him and Nic Claxton?

I like both as well, Claxton has the more intriguing game as far as max potential so i would probably lean towards Claxton.

[exstatic]

Selfish black hole. Almost a 22YO Sophomore. There’s an reason that he’s s where he is in most drafts.

[mo7888]

I like claxton better...and Fernando better than both.

[D-Robinson 50 fan]

Selfish black hole. Almost a 22YO Sophomore. There’s an reason that he’s s where he is in most drafts.

The reason he is low in most mock drafts is Because he is 22.

If you watched Florida State last year you would know they needed the guy to score. I think he could be a good role player in the NBA. If he gets run in the upcoming season I could see him making all rookie team.

[Thomas82]

I am torn between him and Nic Claxton?

If I had to choose between them I would take Nic Claxton.

[JeffDuncan]

Kabengele over Claxton. Better shooter.

[BackHome]

Yeah Kangle would be a good replacement for Rudy as he all ready has a legit 3 ball game so I see him as a pure PF - Claxton is a better defender he is just so quick with him jump backs and has a noise for steals you can’t teach that I see him as a hybrid PF/C.

[Cardinal]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Ae-goO8nFw

Loves watching LaMarcus Aldridge

[Dr. John R. Brinkley]

Some mocks have us taking him. He seems like a polarizing figure, but I wonder if his on court identity is different than his actual personality, and he actually would accept coaching. His uncle played with a “strong” personality but was actually somewhat of a saint.

[BackHome]

When we talk about players getting over them selves by going to G League this would be one who fits with that philosophy.

[Chinook]

I'm cool with SA taking him. Wouldn't be my first choice, but something about him makes me think PATFO is more interested in him than they are in other guys they're rumored to like. Doesn't seem like he has star potential, but he does seem like a guy who can develop into a championship-level starter. If you play two bigs, you really want to be able to overwhelm other front courts with your size, and Kabengele would certainly be able to do that against most fours.

[kobyz]

I think his goal is to be the next LMA type player, him and LMA have similar style and attributes...

[Marco]

Kabengele, Bitadze or Cam Johnson at 19

[rjv]

his comparisons are interesting. worst case scenario probably has him linked to mahimini because ian could never stay out of foul trouble. as for best case, a more polished samaki walker isn't the worst thing in the world but not the most exciting either.

[ZeusWillJudge]

I made a joke about his name because I didn't think there was any serious discussion about him being drafted by the Spurs, but I've seen two recent mocks putting him at 19. Forget all the other why-nots. Didn't anyone notice that he spent his whole year wearing big-ass braces on his knees? I know they're saying that he's healthy, but dayum. The Spurs can't afford a fuckup with this 19 pick.

Now throw in the lack of fundamentals, unwillingness to be coached, and the ball-hogging. He looks more like a poor man's Drew Gooden to me. Surely the Spurs can do better at 19.

[ace3g]

https://twitter.com/DraftExpress/status/1141387122596884480