2019 NBA Mock Draft: Full first round as lottery nears

Age: 21
Height, Weight: 6-foot-10, 250 pounds
Slash Line: .502/.369/.761
Season Averages: 13.2 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 0.3 APG, 0.6 SPG, 1.5 BPG, 0.6 3PM

Florida State’s 2018-19 team was known for the size mismatches it posed for opposing teams. It helped them against difficult ACC teams like Duke and North Carolina. Part of this was attributed to Mfiondu Kabengele’s rise as a sophomore.

Standing 6-foot-10 with a seven-foot wingspan, Kabengele already has the NBA body to fit into a team’s front line. He found nearly six rebounds per game in 21.6 minutes and showed some pick-and-pop ability with 36.9 percent from behind the arc and a sound mid-range jumper.

The Utah Jazz need frontcourt depth entering the offseason. Derrick Favors‘ contract won’t guarantee until after July 6. Ekpe Udoh will hit free agency. Tony Bradley has barely played since arriving as a first-round pick.

There are a handful of big-men prospects available at this part of the draft, so the Jazz will have their pick. Kabengele arguably offers the most upside of the bunch, and his ability to handle both ends of the court should only increase his value as the draft arrives.

Kabengele would be an interesting addition to the New York Knicks, but as everything stands, there is no chance he is there for their next pick.