On March 13, the Utah Jazz signed Bez Mbeng to a ten-day contract. Who knew the deal would become a dream come true for the former Yale graduate?
On April 3, the Jazz signed Mbeng to a multi-year contract, demonstrating the coaching staff’s trust in his potential.
Born in Potomac, Maryland, Mbeng always dreamed of playing in the NBA. Now that he’s achieved that dream, we’re going to get into why the Jazz signed the young guard.
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Ivy League Legend
Mbeng is one of the most decorated Yale Bulldogs in the school’s basketball history. While at Yale, he won the school’s most prestigious award, the William Neely Mallory Award.
Furthermore, he was a three-time winner of the Ivy Defensive Player of the Year award, a two-time All-Ivy first- and second-team selection, Ivy Player of the Year for the 2024-25 season, and an All-Ivy Tournament selection in 2025.
In college, Mbeng averaged 9.9 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.6 steals per game and became the Ivy League assist leader in the 2024-25 season. While capable on offense, the guard’s defense helped him impress pro scouts and stand out amongst his teammates.
In the last three years of his collegiate career, Mbeng ranked in the top five in defensive rating. In the 2024-25 season, Mbeng ended first in steals, making him seventh all-time in the Ivy League for the stat. He showed up big time defensively against Auburn in the 2024 NCAA Tournament, where the Bulldogs upset the fourth-seeded Tigers. In that game, Mbeng made five critical steals to aid in his team’s win.
Even though the guard had an amazing collegiate career, Mbeng went undrafted that same year. Eventually, he found a home with the Sioux Falls Skyforce in the G League.
Given the Chance of a Lifetime
In his 41 appearances for the Skyforce, Mbeng averaged a quiet 6.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 1.8 steals per game. He helped the Skyforce turn into the second-best team in steals this season in the G League. This contribution proved enough for the Jazz to give the guard an NBA roster spot. Upon entering the league, Mbeng averages 7.7 points, 3.8 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 2.1 steals per game.
Mbeng continues his quiet scoring but excels in his on-ball defensive role. He’s currently second in defensive rating amongst guards on the team. On top of that, in 14 games with the Jazz, Mbeng became the team leader in steals per game.
In games, fans see Mbeng hampering opposing teams’ guards with his quick hands, swiping the ball away. The guard has had multiple three-steal games in his tenure with the Jazz and one five-steal game on April 7, against the New Orleans Pelicans.
Improving With Time
With more playing time, Mbeng slowly unlocked his all-around game. In two of the Jazz’s last three games (April 7-10), Mbeng has accumulated a combined 53 points, 14 rebounds, 14 assists and eight steals.
The pinnacle of this two-game stretch came against the Memphis Grizzlies on April 10. Mbeng became the second Jazz rookie to ever record a triple-double. The only other player to do that in Jazz history is Mark Eaton. Fans witnessed growth in Mbeng’s game. He took the ball to the hoop with confidence, suffocating opposing players on defense, and every pass seemed to find someone who hit an open shot.
Jazz radio play-by-play broadcaster David Locke asked Mbeng about how it felt to add a triple-double to his resume:
“I’m super grateful for this opportunity, I don’t know, like, it’s crazy, honestly, I can’t put it into words,” Mbeng said. “I’m glad I could get it done here with these [Jazz] fans, these teammates, and these coaches. Just amazing people, I’m super happy right now.”
The Untold Story
Mbeng is a perfect example of why the G League and rebuilds matter for undrafted players. They get a second chance to prove why they belong in this cherished league. NBA media and fans alike focus on the Stars or the high draft picks; sometimes, all a team needs to compete is a player willing to work hard and complete the difficult tasks others dread doing.
Joe Ingles did this for a previous iteration of the Jazz— he defended opposing teams’ best players, dove for balls, and made every assist count. Mbeng could be that kind of player for the Jazz.
The Jazz signed Mbeng exactly for that purpose. With a little time and practice, the guard could help the Jazz get a last-minute steal or dive for a loose ball to help them get into the playoffs next year. With the multi-year deal fulfilling Mbeng’s dream, hopefully, he’ll continue to have career nights for Jazz fans to enjoy for years to come.
Perhaps even helping the team fulfill its dream of winning a championship.
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