ZdB Radar: Rashaan Mbemba

After the first two stops in Denmark and Slovenia, today we are going to Austria to talk about Rashaan Guylain Mbemba (2003/198 cm). Despite just turning 18 years old, he is in a sweet moment, being elected the best youngster in the Austrian league in October and November and adding points and rebounds in his international matches with the Austrian senior. His name is beginning to be heard and that until now has been off the radar of the main websites; for example, Eurospects does not mention it in the generation of 2003 and ID Prospects does not consider it among the best of that generation.

The SBK St Pölten youth squad did not have stellar appearances in the Austrian training categories, being a member of the U18 in 2019 without fanfare (5.0 pt, 8.3 re), but with interesting numbers to be two years younger than the main generation (2001 ). With the promotion of his team to the first division, little by little they gave him prominence, like last season, when he was still a junior (8 mi, 4.1 pt, 1.6 re). A fact that led him to appear in our article on review of the generation of 2003 in Europe.

Be careful, because this St Pölten course is in the upper area. A team with other values ​​from the quarry, good external reinforcements (such as Alanen, who we already talked about) and a wide rotation that allows them to maintain a high intensity in their game. Mbemba’s performance is one of the keys, reaching most of his points in the fourth quarter and registering interesting averages in the domestic competition (13.9 pt, 5.3 re, 1.0 as), which have seen continuity in the recent FIBA ​​window in the games that measured his team against Ireland and Switzerland (21 mi, 12.5 pt, 7.0 re, 2.5 as, 1.0 a).

It is not known if he reaches two meters, but what is clear is that his broad-shouldered Charles Barkley physique is deceiving and when he starts to play, watch out. Good mobility, more than expected, comfortable as roller at the time of blocking and finishing or playing without the ball. Without being a talented player in the post, you can see him try to take advantage of his back to the basket against less strong opponents (using his body with deployment of reverse feints) or even face, being very comfortable in situations where he wins the position to add easily and where, despite the larger rivals, he knows how to protect his shot.

It has several very strong points. One of them is that the transition runs very well, acting as a trailer in the center lane. In addition, he has a lot of activity for the offensive rebound and a special instinct to be well positioned and be a “garbage collector”, getting easy baskets. Another aspect to highlight is when he receives 3-5 meters from the basket near the baseline, using his body, making room for himself, turning and getting up to get it clean; a movement that is seen to be highly mechanized and worked.

He is also capable of adding from the triple to still feet (it is seen that he has worked in this aspect, which is going to more) and has good mechanics, so it should be seen in the short-medium term as one more option. Due to his way of playing, he takes out quite a few fouls, with a good percentage from the free throw line.

In defense, sometimes it hurts him to play so inside with his team. Maybe it lacks that lateral shift point at ‘four’ and height before ‘five’ top. He also sometimes loses orientation when it comes to protecting the defensive rebound, giving second options. Among its virtues, its high intensity (without fear of contact) and its ability to put hands to steal the ball, although sometimes its excess of momentum translates into personal fouls.

A player who with that share of prominence has grown by leaps and bounds. A combo forward with the ability to add that he must improve his game of face and ball handling, continue to progress in his outside shooting and gain experience in his decision-making. Undoubtedly, a project that at this rate and once established in its domestic competition should try in other higher leagues.