NEW HAVEN, Conn. – Bez Mbeng '25 from the Yale men's basketball team, has continued to shine in the NBA and has signed a two-year contract with the Utah Jazz, as announced on Friday.
"So proud and happy for Bez," said
James Jones, the Joel E. Smilow '54 Head Coach of the Bulldogs. "No one is more deserving of this opportunity."
Mbeng has made a strong impression with Utah over the past few weeks after signing consecutive 10-day contracts on Mar. 13 and Mar. 23. In his last 11 games with the Jazz, he's averaged 5.0 points, 3.4 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 1.7 steals across 29.9 minutes per game. He also delivered a standout performance in his first NBA start, scoring 13 points on an efficient 5-of-7 shooting while adding six rebounds and a team-high seven assists.
Undrafted, Mbeng worked his way up by playing 41 games for the Sioux Falls Skyforce, the G League affiliate of the Miami Heat, before joining the Jazz.
With Yale, Mbeng made history as the first Ivy League player to be named both Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year. He led the nation in 2024–25 with three triple-doubles and was one of only six active players to record multiple career triple-doubles. Hailing from Potomac, Maryland, he scored in double figures in 23 games that season, including both Ivy Madness matchups, earning All-Tournament honors. Mbeng finished his remarkable collegiate career with 1,189 points, 449 assists, and 195 steals, leaving as Yale's all-time leader in career steals. His 449 assists also rank second in program history.
