Dikembe Mutombo's Nephew Mfiondu Kabengele to Clippers: LA's Current Roster
The Los Angeles Clippers selected Florida State center Mfiondu Kabengele with No. 27th pick in the 2019 NBA draft.
Here is the Clippers roster after the selection.
Check out B/R NBA draft expert Jonathan Wasserman’s scouting profile on Kabengele.
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Danilo Gallinari, SF: $21.6M (2020)
Louis Williams, SG: $8M (2021)
Montrezl Harrell, PF: $6M (2020)
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, PG: $3.7M (2022)
Jerome Robinson, SG: $3.3M (2022)
Sindarius Thornwell, SG: $1.3M (2020)
Landry Shamet, PG: $1.8M (2022)
Terance Mann, SF
Tyrone Wallace, SG: $1.5M (2020)
Mfiondu Kabengele, C: $1.7 (2023)
Angel Delgado, C: RFA
Garrett Temple, SG: UFA
Ivica Zubac, C: RFA
JaMychal Green, PF: UFA
Johnathan Motley, PF: RFA
Patrick Beverley, PG: UFA
Rodney McGruder, SG: RFA
Wilson Chandler, SF: UFA
Kabengele, 21, averaged 13.2 points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game during his sophomore season. He was the ACC Sixth Man of The Year and emerged as one of the natioin's best bench players.
"I'm going to be able to accept the role [of reserve]," Kabengele said of his NBA outlook, per Chris Dortch of NBA.com. "Not only accept it but excel in it. I'm going to bring a lot of energy and focus on being a great rebounder. At the next level, I'll be ready if they allow me to have that kind of role."
The nephew of Hall of Famer Dikembe Mutombo, Kabengele is listed at 6'10" and 256 pounds and has a 7'3" wingspan—one of the largest in the class.
A late growth spurt helped round out Kabengele's game, as he has some leftover skills from his time as a guard. That versatility should allow the Clippers to see him fit well within the modern NBA. Kabengele shot 36.9 percent from three last season and is a good free-throw shooter, which should make him an easy fit for the league's inside-out game. He also has enough bulk to finish near the rim.
However, Kabengele will need to avoid his propensity for fouls and continue to develop into a consistent three-point shooter if he wants to stick in an NBA rotation. His skill set could allow him to develop into a starter; he has the side-to-side athleticism and leaping ability to be a strong defender in the middle.
The Clippers rounded out their roster this season with high-energy, team-first players. Kabengele fits the mold set by the likes of Patrick Beverley and Montrezl Harrell.
