It feels like Kansas has been through an entire rollercoaster ride with big man Paul Mbiya. In his recruitment, Mbiya was once committed to NC State before flipping to the Jayhawks. After one season of limited playing time behind Flory Bidunga and Bryson Tiller, Mbiya announced he intended to enter the transfer portal.
Then, a week after the portal had been open, it was reported that Mbiya desperately wanted to return to the Jayhawks, but his management team was trying to get as much money out of the Jayhawks as possible. With negotiations still underway, Mbiya is going to have to make a decision soon, as the portal closes tomorrow, and there is one thing he must do to actually choose to transfer.
Mbiya has to formally enter the portal in order to potentially go somewhere else. That is right, Mbiya has yet to officially enter the portal as reported by Shreyas Laddha, a Kansas City Star sports reporter.
Should be noted that Paul Mbiya hasn’t signed his agreement yet to return to #kubball, but also hasn’t entered the transfer portal.
— Shreyas Laddha (@shre98) April 20, 2026
Talked to his management Yacine Fylla about Paul this morning.
Last day to enter the portal is tomorrow.
Paul Mbiya has a decision to make when it comes to returning to Kansas and he needs to make it fast
When Laddha talked with Mbiya's management, they said that the 7-foot big man was thinking more with his emotions when they were trying to get him to understand that it is also a business. His agent, Yacine Fylla, could not be more wrong, as this isn't a business; it is a college, typically a place to learn, grow, and develop academically, or for the lucky few, athletically as well.
While Mbiya announced his intentions to enter the portal, he has yet to formally do so, and with the transfer portal closing Tuesday, April 21, that doesn't give him or his management much time to make a decision. It will either be Mbiya formally entering the portal with the potential of returning to Lawrence, or he will be locked in with the Jayhawks for another season.
The way this has been handled by Mbiya's management is exactly what is wrong with the transfer portal. The portal is not meant to be used as a bargaining tool to get players to the most money from the school they actually want to be at, but a chance to allow players to find better playing opportunities elsewhere.
It is pretty clear that Mbiya wants to be a Jayhawk, so at what point will that want and desire outweigh a NIL deal and money? There isn't much time left, but only time will tell in the end.
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