Myck Kabongo
Myck Kabongo | |
|---|---|
| Born | Myck Lukusa Kabongo January 12, 1992 Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo |
| Occupation(s) | Basketball player, basketball coach |
| Years active | 2011–present |
| Known for | Professional basketball player, assistant coach for Salt Lake City Stars |
Myck Lukusa Kabongo (born January 12, 1992) is a former professional basketball player of Congolese-Canadian descent who currently works as an assistant coach and player development coach for the Salt Lake City Stars in the NBA G League. He competed at the collegiate level for the Texas Longhorns.
On the international stage, Kabongo represented the DR Congo national basketball team during AfroBasket 2017.
High school career
Kabongo started his high school education at Eastern Commerce Collegiate Institute in Toronto, then transferred prior to Grade 10 to St. Benedict's Prep, where he played alongside fellow Canadian Tristan Thompson. After Thompson's departure, Kabongo continued through Grade 11 before relocating to Findlay Prep in Henderson, Nevada for his senior year. He was ranked tenth in the 2011 class by Scout.com and included in the ESPNU 100 list, while Rivals.com placed him at number 26. Kabongo also took part in notable events such as the 2011 McDonald's All-American Boys Game and the 2011 Jordan Brand Classic.
College commitment
On his 17th birthday, January 12, 2009, Kabongo committed to play for the Texas Longhorns. Although he withdrew his commitment on October 30, 2010, he reaffirmed it five days later and subsequently signed his letter of intent.
College career
Kabongo’s tenure at Texas spanned the 2011–12 season. During this period, he was investigated by the NCAA over alleged improper interactions with agent Rich Paul. Initially suspended for the entire 2012–13 season, his suspension was later shortened to 23 games. He returned to action in mid-February, averaging 14.6 points across eleven contests.
In April 2013, Kabongo declared for the NBA draft, foregoing his remaining two years of college eligibility.
Professional career
After going undrafted in the 2013 NBA draft, Kabongo participated with the Miami Heat during the 2013 NBA Summer League. He signed with the San Antonio Spurs on September 30, 2013, but was released on October 15. Subsequently, on October 31, he joined the Austin Toros of the NBA Development League.
On October 30, 2014, Kabongo was acquired by the Austin Spurs, only to be traded two days later to the Fort Wayne Mad Ants. Over sixteen games, he posted averages of 8.8 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 3.3 assists before being waived on December 29. On January 9, 2015, he signed with the Texas Legends, though he was released after two appearances.
Kabongo was selected in the second round of the 2015 NBA Development League Draft by the Delaware 87ers, but was traded immediately to the Erie BayHawks on draft night.
On August 27, 2016, he inked a deal with Romanian team BCM U Pitești, competing in Liga Națională.
In January 2018, Kabongo joined Spanish club Zornotza Saskibaloi Taldea of Liga EBA before transferring to French side STB Le Havre in LNB Pro B during February.
In 2019, Kabongo signed with the Canadian Elite Basketball League’s Guelph Nighthawks, but was waived midway through the season. He then moved to Denmark’s Svendborg Rabbits, where he averaged 12.4 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game. By September 2020, he had signed with North Macedonia’s Akademija FMP.
On May 1, 2021, Kabongo joined Mozambican club Ferroviário de Maputo to compete in the inaugural season of the Basketball Africa League (BAL), playing a pivotal role in advancing to the quarterfinal stage.
Beginning November 2021, Kabongo competed for Qatar’s Al-Rayyan SC in their Basketball League. On December 5, he delivered a standout performance scoring a league-best 42 points along with eleven assists during a victory over rivals Al Ahli.
Two days later, on December 7, 2021, Kabongo signed with South African champions Cape Town Tigers ahead of their campaign in the 2022 BAL qualification tournament.
National team
Kabongo played for the DR Congo national basketball team during AfroBasket 2017, held in Senegal and Tunisia, where he was among the leaders in assists (4.8 per game) and steals (2.8 per game).
Although invited to join Canada's national team training camp ahead of the 2013 FIBA Americas Championship, he ultimately did not secure a spot on the final roster.
Amateur career
Kabongo has participated with Overseas Elite in the yearly The Basketball Tournament, acting as the point guard for the 2015 squad that secured the $1 million championship prize.
Coaching career
On October 4, 2024, Kabongo was appointed as an assistant coach and player development specialist for the Salt Lake City Stars in the NBA G League.
Personal life
Originally from Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kabongo has four brothers, including actor Emmanuel Kabongo, and a sister named Vanessa, who played collegiate basketball at the University of Delaware between 2007 and 2012. After spending five years in South Africa, he and his family relocated to Toronto in 1998.
Awards and honors
- Selected for the 2011 McDonald's All-American team
- Named to the 2011 Jordan Brand High School All-American team
- Included in the 2012 Big 12 All-Rookie team
- Led the BAL in assists during the 2021 season
BAL career statistics
|- | style="text-align:left;"|2021 | style="text-align:left;"|Ferroviário | 4 || 4 || 34.2 || .236 || .208 || .826 || 5.0 || style="background:#cfecec;"| 6.8* || 2.3 || .0 || 12.5 |- | style="text-align:left;"|2022 | style="text-align:left;"|Cape Town | 6 || 6 || 31.2 || .278 || .125 || .625 || 5.3 || 6.7 || 2.3 || .0 || 8.8 |-