Florida State Basketball: Mfiondu Kabengele’s departure creates big frontcourt hole

Mfiondu Kabengele has elected to enter the 2019 NBA Draft. If he stays, how big of a loss is it for Florida State Basketball next season?

The 2018-19 season for Florida State Basketball was a big success overall. They finished with a program-record 29 total wins and made it to the Sweet 16 for the second year in a row. Despite only having two double-digit scorers on the roster, the collective size, depth, and athleticism of the Seminoles made them a consistent top-15 team this past season and among the top-tier of the talent-heavy ACC.

But things are going to look different for Leonard Hamilton and Florida State Basketball for 2019-20. Five of the team’s top eight scorers are graduating and leaving, including key players Terance Mann, Christ Koumadje and Phil Cofer. For most teams not named Duke or Kentucky, that would be a devastating blow. However the Seminoles not only have several rotation players returning for this season but also a top-15 nationally ranked recruiting class for next season.

Florida State is ranked in our preseason top-25 and figures to remain a contender for the 2020 NCAA Tournament. However, hopes for them to make another postseason run determines on the outcome on the best player on the team.

Mfiondu Kabengele was the leading scorer for Florida State Basketball this past season, averaging 13.2 ppg and 5.9 rpg in just 21.6 mpg off the bench. He had a huge impact when on the court, putting up 24.5 ppg and 11.0 rpg per 40 minutes, putting him right up there with the best players in the country. The sophomore is an athletic monster who developed a jumpshot and post moves, while becoming and above-average defender on the other side.

Kabengele’s emergence on the court has helped his NBA Draft stock immensely, rising to No. 31 in our latest mock draft, and even making the first round in other outlets. His intentions seem to be to remain in NBA Draft and leave Florida State Basketball if he gets a first round grade. However, a case can be made that he should return to college for at least one more year. Kabengele’s minutes were restrained due to his propensity to get into foul trouble, along with the staff’s preference to start the seniors.

However, with those players now gone, Kabengele, who would be a rising junior for the Seminoles, would immediately become the star of the team and go-to player. Not only would the 6-8 forward become a starter and top offensive option, he would get around 30 mpg. Kabengele would be able to not only improve on some of his weaknesses but also have the production to equal his basketball talent, which is lottery potential.

But in fairness to the young man, it’s hard to turn away from being a first round pick because a bad next year or a serious injury could derail his NBA dreams. So while he could elevate his draft stock more than others who don’t have the same ability, this is a decision that has both pros and cons – like any other decision we humans make in life.

If Kabengele does move on, Florida State Basketball should still be in decent shape for next season as long as role players continue to develop under this team’s system. But everything is on hold until we know about what Kabengele does. Of all the players with 50/50 NBA decisions, this one truly will decide their team’s fate for 2019-20.