NBA Mock Draft Update: Former ‘Noles moving up the boards

By Dustin Lewis
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Updated: May 30, 2019

Former Florida State men’s basketball stars Terance Mann and Mfiondu Kabengele are gaining momentum in the 2019 NBA Draft. They both received rave reviews for their work at the NBA Combine earlier this month in Chicago and now are in the midst of private and predraft workouts.

Kabengele has seemingly already worked out for half of the teams in the association while Mann has spent time with both Atlanta and Philadelphia. As of now, NBADraft.net has the two former ‘Noles being selected inside the top-40 picks. It’d be the first time since 2017 that two players from FSU were selected in the same draft (Jonathan Isaac and Dwayne Bacon).

– Mfiondu Kabengele, No. 14 overall, Boston Celtics

We’ve talked about Kabengele’s sporadic appearance on mock drafts. Well, we can talk about that no longer. Scouts and front offices alike are beginning to really see what the Canadian could turn into after some of his workouts and testing at the combine. In turn, it seems like his stock is slowly boosting up towards the end of the lottery.

The 6-foot-10 forward’s latest appearance in the mock draft is his highest projection thus far, No. 14 to the Boston Celtics. In the last update, Kabengele had been slotted in at No. 25 to the Portland Trail Blazers. He’d fit perfectly on a perennial playoff team that needs more edge inside on and on the boards. Not to mention, Kabengele could certainly learn a few things moving forward from one of the best all-around big men in the NBA, Al Horford.

Also, Kabengele’s most recent workout was in Boston with the Celtics.

– Terance Mann, No. 39 overall, Dallas Mavericks

Mann has seen himself hang around towards the end of the draft, kind of in a flux. He was originally projected to be the No. 56 overall pick, before moving up to No. 49 and then back a few spots to No. 53. However, he’s risen his stock after outings at the G-League Elite Camp and the NBA Combine that showcased his athleticism, defense, and willingness to do the little things.

The Massachusetts native might be able to make an impact on a younger Dallas team that’s still trying to find its identity behind Luka Doncic if they do decide to take a chance on him at No. 39. Mann brought a winning edge to Tallahassee. It’s possible he could do the same thing in Dallas with his work ethic and commitment to being great.