Tag: Mfiondu Kabengele

Who are the best international players to play for the Boston Celtics?

From Charlie Hoefer to Alaa Abdenaby to Rick Fox to Kristaps Porzingis, there has been no shortage of players who were born abroad who have worn the green and white.

The Boston Celtics are a storied franchise for more than just their titles. They have been a trailblazing team in terms of signing and fielding players from all over the world, a philosophy that started in their first season.

From Charlie Hoefer to Alaa Abdelnaby to Rick Fox to Kristaps Porzingis, there has been no shortage of players born abroad who have worn the green and white.

But who were the best and who were the worst? What criteria should we use to judge them across eras? In the spirit of the annual arrival of #RankingSeason, the thing to do is try.

And try the hosts of the CLNS Media “How Bout Them Celtics!” did on a recent episode.

Take a look at the clip embedded above to hear how they assessed the international Celtics of all time.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Every player in Boston Celtics history who wore No. 28

Today’s installment focuses on the 14 players who wore No. 28 over the years as of August 2023.

The Boston Celtics have more retired jerseys than any other team in the NBA, but that doesn’t mean the rest of their jerseys have little history of interest tied to them.

In fact, with 17 titles to their name and decades of competitive basketball played in them, their unretired jersey numbers pack in some of the most history not hanging from the rafters of any team in the league. To that end, we have launched our accounting of that history, with every player in every jersey worn by more than one Celtics player in the storied franchise’s history accounted for.

Today’s installment focuses on the 14 players who wore No. 28 over the years as of August 2023.

On this day: Barros signed; Atkins, Brickowski, Roberts Kabengele born; Garfinkle passes

On this day, the Boston Celtics signed point guard Dana Barros, and Chucky Atkins, Frank Brickowski, and Fred Roberts were born, and Jack Garfinkle passed away.

On this day in Boston Celtics history, point guard Dana Barros signed with the team in 2004 as an unrestricted free agent in what would be the last, very brief stop of a 14-season career. It would be Barros’ second stint with the Celtics, having previously played five seasons for Boston between 1995 and 2000.

A product of Boston College, Barros was a local guy who was born in Boston in 1967. Drafted with the 16th overall pick of the 1989 NBA draft by the Seattle Supersonics, Barros would play for that team and the Philadelphia 76ers before joining the Celtics in 1995 and would be dealt to the Dallas Mavericks in a massive, four-team deal in 2000.

He would be dealt yet again to the Detroit Pistons two months later.

Former Boston two way player Mfiondu Kabengele inks deal with Greece’s AEK Athens

The Canadian center played in just four regular season games for Boston in 2022-23, putting up 1.5 points, and 2.5 rebounds per game.

Former Boston Celtics two way big man Mfiondu Kabengele has found a new home for his basketball endeavors after a solid season with the Celtics, reportedly signing a new deal to play overseas with Greek ball club AEK (Athletic Union of Constantinople) Athens Basketball Club for the 2023-24 season per new reporting from HoopsHype’s Alberto De Roa.

Along with Panathinaikos and Olympiacos, AEK Athens is one of the more popular Greek basketball teams, playing in the Greek League, Greek Cup, and FIBA’s Basketball Champions League. Playing there, Kabengele will get a chance to showcase his skills abroad with more playing time coming with the signing.

The Canadian center played in just four regular season games for Boston in 2022-23, putting up 1.5 points, and 2.5 rebounds per game, and 9 points, 4 boards, a steal, and 6 blocks per contest with the Maine Celtics at the G League level.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Best of Boston Celtics two-way player Mfiondu Kabengele in 2022-23

The Florida State alum has had himself an outstanding season at the G League level.

While we have not gotten the sort of Cabin Jelly Time — as fans of Boston Celtics two-way big man Mfiondu Kabengele like to call his floor time — many would have preferred to see this season, Kabengele has more than made his mark at the G League level with the Celtics developmental affiliate, the (Portland) Maine Celtics.

The former Florida State player has had an outstanding season at that level (and a few solid games with the parent club), putting up 18.8 points per game on 58.4% overall field goal percentage. Kabengele has pulled down an average of 10.2 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.5 blocks per game over 43 contests at the G League level in 2022-23.

If you want to create your own Cabin Jelly Time whenever you feel like it or just want to see how the Celtics two-way center has played in Maine this campaign, take a look at the clip embedded below courtesy of Tomasz Kordylewski’s official YouTube channel.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Mfiondu Kabdengele credits a shift towards playing team-focused basketball for his second shot at the NBA

“Now I have the idea that I can still have the impact that I had in college, now it’s just going to look different,” Kabengele said.

Boston Celtics two way big man Mfiondu Kabengele has reinvented his game to play a more team-oriented style after his initial stint in the NBA went sideways after his laser focus on his individual game ended up hurting the teams he played for. Now, he has another chance to make it in the league after reorienting his efforts toward making his teammates better.

Speaking with The Athletic’s Jay King, Kabengele broke down the sea change in his play style. “Once I let go of what I wanted to look like and (decided it was about) the impact I wanted to have, and whatever that looked like, I was going to be OK with it as long as the impact was there, that’s when I felt like a switch changed,” he suggested.

“Because now I wasn’t worried about getting a certain amount of shots up, shooting a certain type of way. It’s more just about impact. And whatever that led to in a game, if it led to a win I was satisfied.”

“Now I have the idea that I can still have the impact that I had in college, now it’s just going to look different,” Kabengele added.

“And I’m OK with what it’s going to look like. I have no worries about that. I’m just worried about the impact I will have on the court.”

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Mfiondu Kabengele reportedly traveling with Celtics; may debut with Boston

The two way big man is reportedly off his usual assignment with the Maine Celtics to help fill in for Luke Kornet.

Fans of Boston Celtics two way big man Mfiondu Kabengele may get their first look of the 2022-23 NBA regular season at the fan-favorite center, with word that the Florida State alum will be with the team for the Celtics’ Thursday evening road tilt with the Memphis Grizzlies being reported by the Boston Globe’s Gary Washburn.

Kabengele is reportedly traveling with the team and off his usual posting with the (Portland) Maine Celtics to help fill in for reserve center Luke Kornet, who did not make the trip to Tennesee for personal reasons; Kornet also missed the first game of the team’s current road trip against the New York Knicks but had been with the team up until tipoff.

Playing in Maine with fellow Boston two way player JD Davison, Kabengele has been putting up 17.5 points, 12.0 rebounds, 2.5 assists, a steal, and as many blocks per game with the Maine Celtics this season in the two contests that club has played so far.

And while he won’t continue to shoot 75% from 3-point range, that he has hit 3-of-4 such attempts with Maine this season provides an interesting wrinkle for Boston if Kabengele does see the floor vs. Memphis.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Celtics reportedly plan to use all 15 roster spots, look internally with Noah Vonleh ‘best positioned’

The team will monitor cut players around the league as well, per reports.

According to recent reporting from the Boston Globe’s Adam Himmelsbach, the Boston Celtics plan to use all 15 roster spots — and expect to fill them internally barring an unexpected player shaking free ahead of the team’s season opener against the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday, Oct. 18.

While Boston will “continue to keep tabs on cuts” around the NBA, big man Noah Vonleh ” is best positioned to secure one of the final two open spots.” That leaves Justin Jackson, Jake Layman and Mfiondu Kabengele in the running for the other. Kabegele is the least likely to make the full roster given he is already under contract as a two-way player.

Boston could maintain flexibility here and get an extended look at players by using partially guaranteed deals that would allow the team to keep them up to the January league-wide deadline to guarantee contracts.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

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Working with Jaylen Brown, Mfiondu Kabengele has one goal with the Celtics: ‘I want to help (us) win’

“I’m not the same person I was in my rookie year, or even last year when I was in the G League,” he related.

Fans of the Boston Celtics may have seen a clip of two way big man Mfiondu Kabengele working out with star wing Jaylen Brown, and according to the former, it was Brown’s idea to help out the new addition to Boston’s frontcourt. “I didn’t even ask him,” said Kabengele in a recent interview with the Athletic’s Jared Weiss. “I’m very thankful because I really care and I want to help (us) win.”

“I asked him a lot about pick-and-roll angles, how I should roll and what I should look for,” he added. “It is a little selfish, but I want to roll so I can be a threat as well.” The Florida State product may think it selfish to become a better player in the system of the team that signed him.

But, it is the very sort of selfishness both parties need. Noting he took his time getting a feel for the team culture before asking for help finding his role, Kabengele explained how he’s approaching the game differently now. “I’m not the same person I was in my rookie year, or even last year when I was in the G League,” he related.

“Everybody can jump, everybody can do this, so I wasn’t thinking as much as I wanted to,” Kabengele noted. “In the pros, everyone’s more intelligent.”

“They’re not reactive like other leagues, they’re very poised. So now that I’m thinking the game and feeling it more, I feel like things are opening up for me a little bit better.”

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

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Robert Williams III might be injured, but he’s already back to work for the Celtics

Robert Williams III may not be able to play for his team at the start of the 2022-23 NBA season, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t involved with helping his club prepare for another run at a title.

Starting Boston Celtics center Robert Williams III may not be able to play at the start of the 2022-23 NBA season, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t involved with helping his club prepare for another run at a title.

Per MassLive’s Souichi Terada, interim coach Joe Mazzulla said Timelord is already shooting free throws on the court with the team at practice.

“He’s in a great mind frame,” said Mazzulla. “As guys are getting better on the court, he knows the treatment room is his basketball court right now. So he’s doing a great job of getting treatment and building toward that.”

The former Texas A&M player has been helping mentor the closest thing the Celtics have to him on their roster in his absence, Mfiondu Kabengele.

“Rob, just because he’s been out, every time he watches practices while he does rehab, he might give me a little comment here and there of what I can work on,” Kabengele said. “So Rob and Al have been really helpful.”

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

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