Mfiondu Kabengele

[MemphisX]

i don't remember young Speights but Kab seems a lot more athletic than him when Marreese was with the Warriors

https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x5i9ul

[doordoor123]

Kabengele isnt Speights, simply because Speights doesn’t fit in today’s game. He didn’t run the floor, wasn’t as athletic and was more of a post player, but he might have the same amount of impact on a game.

[clyde21]

i don't remember young Speights but Kab seems a lot more athletic than him when Marreese was with the Warriors

https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x5i9ul

that video doesn't really show me anything...he's dunking in awkward camera angles but it doesn't show me how he runs the floor or how he defends the perimeter or how he protects the rim.

if I had to compare someone in this draft to Speights, it'd probably be Naz Reid. I don't see the similarities between he and Kab.

[MemphisX]

This dude continues to show out. Some head scratching plays but he wants to dominate games.

[GimmeDat]

I love his demonstrative on-court personality and motor level. He will make the most of his athletic tools.

[clyde21]

i keep going back to JJJ as a comp for Kab, albeit not a perfect one.

their strengths overlap...length, shot-blocking/rim protection, ability to hit 3s and run the floor, athleticism. both are essentially going to fill the same archetype at the next level.

and no i'm not saying Kab is as good of a prospect (obviously not true), but I think Kab is absolutely legit and is a prototype fit as a modern day center in the NBA the same way JJJ was.

[Funcrusher]

i keep going back to JJJ as a comp for Kab, albeit not a perfect one.

their strengths overlap...length, shot-blocking/rim protection, ability to hit 3s and run the floor, athleticism. both are essentially going to fill the same archetype at the next level.

and no i'm not saying Kab is as good of a prospect (obviously not true), but I think Kab is absolutely legit and is a prototype fit as a modern day center in the NBA the same way JJJ was.

what range would you project him to go in the draft rn?

[clyde21]

i keep going back to JJJ as a comp for Kab, albeit not a perfect one.

their strengths overlap...length, shot-blocking/rim protection, ability to hit 3s and run the floor, athleticism. both are essentially going to fill the same archetype at the next level.

and no i'm not saying Kab is as good of a prospect (obviously not true), but I think Kab is absolutely legit and is a prototype fit as a modern day center in the NBA the same way JJJ was.

what range would you project him in the draft rn?

i think anywhere in the 18-25 range would be a good spot for him depending on fit/need. if he drops below 25 he's a steal IMO.

[Funcrusher]

i keep going back to JJJ as a comp for Kab, albeit not a perfect one.

their strengths overlap...length, shot-blocking/rim protection, ability to hit 3s and run the floor, athleticism. both are essentially going to fill the same archetype at the next level.

and no i'm not saying Kab is as good of a prospect (obviously not true), but I think Kab is absolutely legit and is a prototype fit as a modern day center in the NBA the same way JJJ was.

what range would you project him in the draft rn?

i think anywhere in the 18-25 range would be a good spot for him depending on fit/need. if he drops below 25 he's a steal IMO

Interesting... haven't seen much of him this year but he impressed me yesterday. He was the MVP of that game in the second half. Pretty much came away with the same observations as you: intriguing length, rim protection, and a jumper with range to 3. Maybe not the switchable perimeter defender JJJ is, and a little erratic in his decision making on both ends, but a guy I'm hoping Presti takes a look at with our first rounder (assuming we don't get a nice wing prospect like THT, which would be my more preferable outcome).

[clyde21]

what range would you project him in the draft rn?

i think anywhere in the 18-25 range would be a good spot for him depending on fit/need. if he drops below 25 he's a steal IMO

Interesting... haven't seen much of him this year but he impressed me yesterday. He was the MVP of that game in the second half. Pretty much came away with the same observations as you: intriguing length, rim protection, and a jumper with range to 3. Maybe not the switchable perimeter defender JJJ is, and a little erratic in his decision making on both ends, but a guy I'm hoping Presti takes a look at with our first rounder (assuming we don't get a nice wing prospect like THT, which would be my more preferable outcome).

OKC will have a lot of options where they pick IMO...THT would be a good pick but I'd also look at Herro, Tillie or Iggy Braz to get some spacing and shooting.

speaking of OKC, Kab might actually be a better version of Jerami Grant.

[Funcrusher]

i think anywhere in the 18-25 range would be a good spot for him depending on fit/need. if he drops below 25 he's a steal IMO

Interesting... haven't seen much of him this year but he impressed me yesterday. He was the MVP of that game in the second half. Pretty much came away with the same observations as you: intriguing length, rim protection, and a jumper with range to 3. Maybe not the switchable perimeter defender JJJ is, and a little erratic in his decision making on both ends, but a guy I'm hoping Presti takes a look at with our first rounder (assuming we don't get a nice wing prospect like THT, which would be my more preferable outcome).

OKC will have a lot of options where they pick IMO...THT would be a good pick but I'd also look at Herro, Tillie or Iggy Braz to get some spacing and shooting.

speaking of OKC, Kab might actually be a better version of Jerami Grant.

yeah, we probably need a stretch 4 or a guard that can play off-ball and has value as a gravity shooter more than another wing, so I'd be fine with Herro or Tillie. But I've gotta admit i'm in love with THT's skillset and potential upside and if Presti can snatch him up at 18 or trade up to get him then imo you make out like robbers. But then again a better version of JG would be nice as well so honestly i'm not sure who we should pick... like you said we have a lot of options (and a lot of holes ).

[aminiaturebuddha]

I've watched him play numerous times going back to last year, and while no comparison is perfect, I actually see him a bit as a poor man's version of Blake Griffin at Oklahoma. Blake had better speed, ball-handling and passing, but there are a lot of similarities. Similar size and power, similar offensive aggressiveness, similar touch on their turnaround jumper from the post (Kabengele actually has a higher release point), and similar deficiencies in defensive awareness at times, mixed with the athletic ability to make great individual defensive plays.

Kabengele obviously still has lots to work on, but if he goes in the second half of the first round to a playoff team that doesn't need him to produce a lot right away, and can just continue to learn and develop by practicing and playing every day against high caliber competition, I think any team outside of the lottery would be very happy to get him.

[Dat2U]

I think he's a lottery talent. I don't get the Speights comparisons. I see a little Jonathan Issac with a more polished offensive skillset.

[EvanZ]

ESPN now has him #30. It's been willed into existence lol.

[Catchall]

He's like Robert Williams except that he can shoot, dribble, pass and stay engaged. As a Jazz fan, I'm interested at #20.

[Catchall]

I think he's a lottery talent. I don't get the Speights comparisons. I see a little Jonathan Issac with a more polished offensive skillset.

He's a brute at 250 lbs. He's a 4/5 rather than a 3/4.

[doordoor123]

He's like Robert Williams except that he can shoot, dribble, pass and stay engaged. As a Jazz fan, I'm interested at #20.

Uh very different players

[Ruzious]

I think he's a lottery talent. I don't get the Speights comparisons. I see a little Jonathan Issac with a more polished offensive skillset.

He's a brute at 250 lbs. He's a 4/5 rather than a 3/4.

Physically, he's more like a young Speights than Isaac - much more physical than Isaac but not as athletic. I really like his energy - offensively and defensively - hopefully he can play some 4 in the NBA, so he can be a 3rd big

[doordoor123]

I think he's a lottery talent. I don't get the Speights comparisons. I see a little Jonathan Issac with a more polished offensive skillset.

He's a brute at 250 lbs. He's a 4/5 rather than a 3/4.

Physically, he's more like a young Speights than Isaac - much more physical than Isaac but not as athletic. I really like his energy - offensively and defensively - hopefully he can play some 4 in the NBA, so he can be a 3rd big

I think he can play 4 in the NBA.

[EvanZ]

Comp I came up with last night that is not perfect physically but more style-wise and more on offense side of things is Thomas Bryant. Bryant is a bit slower and obviously was much younger coming out. But they both really have a nack (knack?) for scoring at that size. Kab is more athletic than Bryant, but Bryant a better passer. I think in terms of impact that's probably similar to where Kab ends up, maybe slightly better or worse depending how much more they each develop. Another guy that comes to mind is Gorgui Dieng who is a better scorer than people realized coming out.

I see zero chance of Kab being a 4 in the NBA without improving his playmaking vastly. Also just don't think he can hang on the perimeter enough.