Paul Mbiya announces return to KU basketball after considering transfer portal
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- Paul Mbiya announced his return to Kansas men’s basketball on social media Thursday.
- Mbiya averaged 1.2 points and 1.4 rebounds in 21 games during the 2025-26 season.
- Even with Mbiya returning, Kansas has eight roster spots to fill.
Yes, he’s back.
Kansas men’s basketball big man and fan-favorite Paul Mbiya is returning for another season.
The big man announced his return to the Jayhawks on social media Tuesday night, hours before the transfer portal officially closed. He and guard Kohl Rosario are the only regulars from last season who have announced a return to KU.
Mbiya’s manager Yacine Fylla shared the big man’s message with The Star:
“I’m staying at the University of Kansas. This decision comes from the heart. Through every challenge, every doubt, and every moment of adversity, I’ve grown stronger. I’m not running from anything — I’m embracing it. I want my coaches, my future teammates, and the fans to know that I believe in this journey.
“I believe in who I am becoming. I’m a special player, not just because of what I do on the court, but because of what I stand for. No pressure can break me. No obstacle can stop me. And no amount of money will ever define me or buy my values.
“You can’t buy heart. You can’t buy loyalty. You can’t buy what’s inside me. I know who I am. And I know what I came here to do. You can’t buy heart. You can’t buy loyalty. You can’t buy what’s inside me. So I’m staying. To fight. To grow. To prove … that I’m different. I’m here to fight, to grow, and to leave my mark.”
This was not always a slam dunk.
Negotiations for Mbiya’s return went down to the 11th hour, with Mbiya’s representation suggesting KU was 30% shy of their asking price as of Tuesday evening.
The saga also featured some twists and turns: Mbiya told The Star weeks earlier that he planned to enter the transfer portal but never actually did.
The Star spoke to a source close to the situation a week ago Saturday, and that source said Mbiya had “deeply (fallen) in love with Kansas.”
The big man was still considering coming back to KU because, the source said, he believes “loyalty can’t be bought and that he can leave his mark at KU.”
Well, he’ll officially get that chance.
The 7-footer from Kinshasa, Congo, averaged 1.2 points and 1.4 rebounds in 21 games during the 2025-26 season. He showed flashes of promise during the NCAA Tournament.
Mbiya had eight points and three rebounds while playing 16 minutes in KU’s first-round victory over Cal Baptist. He also had four points and six rebounds in 13 minutes in KU’s season-ending loss to St. John’s. And coach Bill Self praised his play throughout the NCAA Tournament.
A busy offseason will continue for the Jayhawks. Even with the return of Mbiya, the Jayhawks have several roster spots to fill.
This story was originally published April 21, 2026 at 8:09 PM with the headline "Paul Mbiya announces return to KU basketball after considering transfer portal."
