Memphis is hosting JUCO center Matt Mbole

Memphis is hosting JUCO center Matt Mbole

JucoRecruiting.com reported on social media that 6-foot-11 forward/center Matt Mbole is visiting Memphis today (Wednesday) and tomorrow (Thursday). The big man will wrap up his visit and head to UAB to visit with the Blazers.

Mbole, who is from Yaounde, Germany, spent the last two seasons at South Georgia Tech, and he was ranked the No. 11 JUCO player in the nation following his sophomore campaign, according to JucoRecruiting.com.

During his freshman season, the center appeared in 26 games and averaged three points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.3 blocks in 6.7 minutes per game. Mbole made a huge jump in production during his sophomore season and averaged 10 points, 12.2 rebounds and 2.6 blocks per game in 30 games, including 27 starts.

The big man made the jump from 6.7 minutes per game to 20.1 minutes per game, and he turned into a key factor for the Jets. Mbole shot 60.5 percent from the field on 6.3 attempts last season and made three three-pointers.

Mbole was the second-best rebounder in the country at the JUCO ranks last season, and he led the nation in offensive rebounds per game. The big man averaged 4.9 offensive rebounds per contest, and he found a lot of success scoring second-chance points.

It’s clear that the big man is more of a defensive-minded, rim-protecting player, and that could be exactly what the Tigers need on their roster. Mbole is a center who can give them the rebounding and shot-blocking they lack on the roster, while also providing offense on tip-ins and putbacks. 

Memphis has brought in two point guards who thrive in the pick-and-roll, and it’s unclear if he’s a good screen-setter. At 6-foot-11 and 250 pounds, he has the size to be a lob threat on pick-and-rolls and could pair well with the Tigers’ guards.

According to JucoRecruiting.com, Mbole has received offers and interest from several high-major and mid-major teams, including UCF. 

After landing four guards out of the transfer portal, it appears Penny Hardaway is shifting his attention to the frontcourt and looking to add rebounders. Memphis hosted North Alabama transfer Corneilous Williams last week and now has another big-time rebounder on campus.

If the Tigers can add both Williams and Mbole, they would enter next season with one of the best frontcourts in the conference and have two players who averaged nine or more rebounds per game last season.

After landing Josh Holloway on Wednesday, Memphis has four roster spots available, and they must address the frontcourt with those spots. The Tigers have added two forwards from the transfer portal and three from the recruiting trail, but they haven’t brought in any players who have proven to be high-level rebounders at the college level.

Adding a player like Mbole would help to address that need.