FSU Basketball: Duo of alums set for NBA Summer League debuts

FSU basketball fans will get a chance to likely see the professional basketball debuts of both Terance Mann and Mifondu Kabengele in the NBA summer league.

Over the course of the last college basketball season, fans of the FSU basketball team got to experience the joy of watching the Seminoles head back to the second weekend of the NCAA tournament in a year where the Noles set a record for most ACC wins in a season and most overall wins in a year in program history.

It was a season that ended with two of the team’s stars from last year – Terance Mann and Mfiondu Kabengele – both getting drafted by the NBA this past June…and wouldn’t you know it, both of them are playing as members of the Los Angeles Clippers after being selected this past draft.

For both former FSU basketball stars, the world of professional life begins this weekend when they are among the players who will be suiting up for the Clippers’ summer league team that plays  their first game on Saturday – part of a five game slate that will help decide the roster for this upcoming season.

During a recent interview with the Los Angeles Times, Kabengele spoke both about his family legacy in the NBA – as he is the nephew of legendary center Dikembe Mutombo – and the simple approach that he has learned about what it’s going to take to make the NBA roster.

"“Just be myself, be consistent, play defense,” he said, “and show the reasons why they drafted me.”"

Mann, meanwhile, was quick to point out that experience playing for FSU basketball in the toughest college conference – the ACC – has him ready for a shot at the pro game.

"“There’s really nothing like the NBA,” Mann said, “but I think [the ACC] kind of gives you a good look at how it could be preparing for big-time players night in and night out.”"

Kabengele later pointed out that, much like his coach with FSU basketball (Leonard Hamilton), Clippers head coach Doc Rivers is a huge proponent of defense and expects his new players to be just as much of ones as he is.

Los Angeles will get the party started on Saturday against the crosstown rival Lakers along with games on Sunday against Memphis, Tuesday against Washington, Thursday against Sacramento and a fifth game against a yet to be determined foe.