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International basketball player Paul Mbiya is one of the most interesting pro prospects on the hoops circuit. Standing at 6-10 and tipping the scales at 260 pounds, he boasts NBA size at a young age. He’s also yet to come close to reaching his ceiling.
Mbiya is set to turn 20 years old in April. He’s only been playing basketball for three years. The center’s already competed in NBA Africa and the EuroLeague. It seems he might soon make another developmental stop before testing the next level.
Joe Tipton of On3 Sports reported Sunday that the big man is considering going the college route. He says there’s already been interest from major programs in Division 1 competition.
African center Paul Mbiya is considering the college route, per source.
The 6-11, 260-pound big man boasts a 7-4 wingspan. The soon-to-be 20-year-old has only been playing basketball for three years.
Originally from the Congo, Mbiya previously played with NBA Academy Africa… pic.twitter.com/uOv4IxNIjZ
— Joe Tipton (@TiptonEdits) February 24, 2025
Tipton states that a pair of unnamed Big Ten programs are keeping a close eye on Paul Mbiya. While a frontrunner in his potential recruitment hasn’t been revealed, that NCAA decision could prove lucrative.
The Big Ten is maybe the richest league in all of college sports. Its boosters’ pockets are deep, and it recently secured the most impressive television contract by a single conference in NCAA history.
NIL could play a vital role in Mbiya’s decision. We’ve seen college programs write big checks to talented big men over the last few years.
BYU recently dropped over $4 million to land top recruit AJ Dybantsa. Kansas State spent $2 million for transfer Coleman Hawkins. Former Kentucky star Oscar Tshiebwe spurned the NBA Draft in exchange for a seven-figure payday from the Wildcats in 2023.
Will Paul Mbiya do the same? It would seem to be on the table based on Tipton’s report.
Should a college team ultimately land the center’s services, they’d add a daunting presence in the paint. It’s been mentioned that Mbiya stands just under seven-feet tall. His wingspan is nearly a foot lengthier!
Combine Score results for Paul Mbiya!
Uh, yeah…the results did in fact read that he is 6’9″ without shoes…with a 7’8″ wingspan. That value alone would be the 6th longest among active NBA players, and a +11 wingspan would be among the biggest in NBA history. pic.twitter.com/30fTL1Sxkw
— Nick Kalinowski (@kalidrafts) January 21, 2025
The big man stood 6-9 without shoes when measured at the Young Star Game LNB Combine in January. His wingspan measured at 7-8, an 11-inch difference. That size and length make things extremely difficult for his opposition on both the offensive and defensive sides of the floor.
— Joe Tipton (@TiptonEdits) February 24, 2025
Mbiya has a decision to make in terms of his basketball future. He might very well be playing at the college level next year. An NIL payday could influence his thinking. If he does make the jump, it will be interesting to see his asking price.