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Three goals for the LA Clippers’ rookies in 2019-2020 season

By Garrett Chorpenning

MADISON, NJ - AUGUST 11: Mfiondu Kabengele #25 of the LA Clippers poses for a portrait during the 2019 NBA Rookie Photo Shoot on August 11, 2019 at the Fairleigh Dickinson University in Madison, New Jersey. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images)
MADISON, NJ - AUGUST 11: Mfiondu Kabengele #25 of the LA Clippers poses for a portrait during the 2019 NBA Rookie Photo Shoot on August 11, 2019 at the Fairleigh Dickinson University in Madison, New Jersey. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JULY 06: Mfiondu Kabengele #25 of the LA Clippers gestures on the court during a game against the Los Angeles Lakers during the 2019 NBA Summer League at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 6, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JULY 06: Mfiondu Kabengele #25 of the LA Clippers gestures on the court during a game against the Los Angeles Lakers during the 2019 NBA Summer League at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 6, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

Mfiondu Kabengele: Continue stretching the floor

If LA Clippers fans didn’t know who Mfiondu Kabengele was on draft night, they definitely figured it out when he made his Summer League debut.

In his first game, Kabengele recorded 21 points and 10 rebounds in the Clippers’ 93-87 win over the Los Angeles Lakers. In 25 minutes of action, he demonstrated virtually every reason LA decided to trade up for him.

Right from the start, Kabengele was fighting in the paint and knocking down shots from range. Second-chance points were his forte — he hauled in six offensive rebounds throughout the night, going right back up with each one.

On defense, he was again active on the glass and around the rim. He recorded one block in his debut and averaged 1.5 per game in the four he appeared in.

He was impressive, to say the least, but in order to continue making his mark, Kabengele will need to focus on stretching the floor. For someone of his size and position, it’s arguably the most essential skill to have in today’s era of basketball.

Kabengele is already a solid three-point shooter. He nailed 36.9 percent (25-64 overall) in his final season at Florida State and 43.7 percent (7-16) in Summer League. His jumper looks solid too, especially considering his size.

As far as his offensive progression goes, Kabengele has the perfect mentor to go to on his roster in JaMychal Green. On that side of the floor, the two have very similar games: Both can knock down a timely three, can crash the glass, and are great at working in and around the paint. In order to refine that area of his game, working with Green may be his best bet.

Kabengele has the potential to become a much better two-way player, and it’s important that he works on his defense as well. But if I’m the Clippers, I’m more concerned about him becoming less raw on offense than I am about him getting into foul trouble.

He should get some time on the floor this season, whether it be in load management games or on nights when the Clippers are blowing out an opponent. Those moments will be important for him to show that his abilities will translate to the big league, and if he’s able to knock down the occasional bucket and get some stops on defense, he could see his role increase by season’s end.

It’s just hard to overstate how important developing that three-point shot will be.

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