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NC State signee Paul Mbyia officially withdraws from NBA Draft

image_6483441 (3)by:Noah Fleischman•05/30/25•

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Paul Mbiya
Paul Mbiya / Photo credit: @rl.syy/Instagram

NC State basketball been focused on its roster-building efforts over the past two months. While it has received positive news throughout the process, garnering nine total commitments between the transfer portal, high school ranks and international competition, the Wolfpack was able to hang onto one of its high-potential additions going into the summer.

Incoming freshman center Paul Mbiya, a Democratic Republic of the Congo native playing in France, officially removed his name from the NBA Draft ahead of the NCAA’s May 28 deadline to maintain his eligibility, the league announced Friday. Playing for Will Wade and the Wolfpack was always Mbiya’s goal, but it was confirmed by the move.

“I chose NC State because it’s a program that develops big guys well,” Mbiya told TheWolfpacker.com after his commitment. “It’s a winning program.”

Mbiya, who also had serious interest from Oregon, was dominant with ASVEL in the France-ProA U21 league this past season. He averaged 15.5 points, 11.6 rebounds, 3.1 blocks and 1.1 steals in 32.5 minutes across 23 games in just his third season of organized basketball. 

The 6-foot-11, 260-pound post player is set to participate in the Adidas Eurocamp, which runs from Saturday through Monday in Treviso, Italy. It’s an opportunity for Mbiya to play alongside some of the top international talent in front of several NBA coaches, scouts and executives, but it won’t impact his standing at NC State. Instead, it’s an opportunity for him to learn and gather more information going into his freshman season with the Wolfpack.

Wade is expected to attend the camp, which will also feature NC State targets Richmond (Va.) John Marshall four-star power forward Latrell Allmond and Brooklyn (N.Y.) Blair Academy four-star point guard Deron Rippey on Team 3SSB.

The camp will be a key part of Mbiya’s development going into his first season of basketball in the U.S. His skill set, which is still improving each day he steps on the court, is one that Wade and his staff believe can become one of the top post players in the country.

“Paul has a presence about him when you watch him that really jumps out at you,” Wade said after Mbiya signed with the Pack. “He’s nearly seven feet tall, but his wingspan and length makes him appear even taller. He has the potential to be one of the best rim protectors and rebounders in college basketball, but also has a great offensive skill set. The sky is the limit for what he can become.”

Mbiya is confident. He knows he can play at the Division I level and can’t wait to do so in the upcoming season with the Wolfpack.

“I’m an energy guy,” Mbiya said. “I’m really good at the pick and roll. I can play defense. I can do everything on a basketball court.”

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