The Miami Heat signed Bez Mbeng to bolster backcourt depth, betting on the former Ivy League Player of the Year’s versatility following a flashy stint in Utah.
The Miami Heat have had a very prolific offseason, adding multiple big-name players such as Giannis Antetokounmpo and Klay Thompson. Even with these veterans coming in, there are some under-the-radar moves the team has been making to add depth to the roster. Last week, the Heat, through their G-League affiliate, added former first-round pick Mo Bamba to fight for a roster spot. On Tuesday, the Heat made another move, adding young guard Bez Mbeng. The guard was claimed off waivers by Miami prior to the beginning of the preseason in a couple of weeks.
Mbeng, 23, played four seasons with the Yale Bulldogs from 2021-2025. He had a very successful collegiate career and received multiple accolades. He was named a three-time Ivy League Defensive Player of the Year, was selected to both the first-team and second-team All-Ivy League rosters and his strong play culminated in him receiving the Ivy League Player of the Year award in his final season. With Yale, he made the NCAA Tournament in three out of his four seasons as he was one of the team's leading scorers.
His collegiate success encouraged him to enter the draft in 2025 but went undrafted. He was actually picked up by the Heat on an Exhibit 10 deal prior to last season but was quickly placed on waivers. He was then picked up by the Utah Jazz, signing a 10-day contract with the team in March. With Utah, Mbeng actually received a good amount of playing time.
The Jazz were in disarray by the end of the regular season, sitting near the bottom of the Western Conference standings after trading for Jaren Jackson Jr. and the star quickly undergoing season-ending surgery soon after. Mbeng made the most of his opportunities, averaging 8.1 points, 3.8 rebounds and 4.1 assists in 15 appearances, five of which were starts. He even recorded a 27-point triple-double against the Memphis Grizzlies in April. However, despite his solid numbers, he was an inconsistent shooter, shooting an impressive 50 percent from the field but a dreadful 19.4 percent from three-point range and a middling 64 percent from the free-throw line.
Mbeng's option with the Jazz was declined this offseason and he was picked up by the Charlotte Hornets earlier this month on an Exhibit 10 contract before being waived this past week. It's been a lot of a movement for a promising young player. Mbeng is quite young and Erik Spoelstra has developed young guard talent in the past. There is a lot for Mbeng to work on with his shooting but in his limited NBA appearances last season, he has shown potential. The Heat have their rotation pretty locked and loaded at the moment but Mbeng is the type of player who could turn some heads in the preseason.
Join the Community
Don't miss out on our ROUNDTABLE community and the latest news! It's completely free to join, simply by clicking the yellow button at the top of the homepage. Share your thoughts, engage with our Roundtable writers, and chat with fellow members. Download the free Roundtable APP and stay even more connected!
