Just days before the month of July starts, college basketball teams are finalizing their respective rosters. However, some moves have continued to be made, both incoming and outgoing. The most significant news in the past few days has involved the NC State Wolfpack, which added a couple of big men but also reportedly lost one.
Paul Mbiya is a 6’11 center from the Congo, who currently plays ball in France. He’s a physical big man who can be a force in the paint, both on the boards and protecting the paint. As a top incoming international prospect, Mbiya’s original pick of NC State was very notable. But now that he’s a free agent again, expect some key teams with frontcourt needs to go after him.
Congolese big man Paul Mbiya has decided to decommit from NC State and reopen his recruitment, source told @On3Recruits.
— Joe Tipton (@TiptonEdits) June 18, 2025
The 6-11, 260-pound center boasts a 7-7 wingspan.
The 20-year-old Mbiya most recently played with the French pro team ASVEL of the EuroLeague, a club owned… pic.twitter.com/cQ5wIhHAnN
Here are four teams that would make sense for Mbiya.
Kansas Jayhawks
The Jayhawks were reportedly in the mix to land Mbiya in the first recruitment. The circumstances haven’t changed since, as they only have one center on the roster in sophomore big, Flory Bidunga. Having Mbiya would give them 40 minutes of solid play inside and shore up one of the weaknesses on the roster.
Texas A&M Aggies
New HC Bucky McMillian has done a great job in rebuilding the Aggies, landing key transfers, Pop Isaacs (Creighton), and Mackenzie Mgbako (Indiana). At center, they also landed former Texas Tech big man Federiko Federiko. However, there’s no other true center on the roster and in the SEC, which could be a major issue. Mbiya would be a great addition to the frontcourt and solidify A&M into an NCAAT contender.
Villanova Wildcats
New HC Kevin Willard had one of the best centers in college basketball last season in Derik Queen while at Maryland. But so far, the frontcourt depth with the Wildcats lacks proven high-major players, with Grand Canyon transfer Duke Brennan the projected starter. This is a location where Mbiya could push to start as a freshman next season and get a large role in the Big East.
Virginia Cavaliers
New coach Ryan Odom has a quality backcourt for next season, thanks to transfers such as Dallin Hall (BYU), Sam Lewis (Toledo), Malik Thomas (San Francisco), and Jacari White (North Dakota). The question mark lies in the frontcourt, with Kansas State transfer center Ugonna Onyenso set to get large minutes after some D-I-level struggles. The Cavaliers could use another big man, and Mbiya would be a nice late addition to the roster.