Luc Richard Mbah a Moute
Encyclopedia
Luc Richard Mbah a Moute (born September 9, 1986 in Yaoundé
, Cameroon
) is a Cameroon
ian professional basketball
player for the Milwaukee Bucks
of the National Basketball Association
(NBA). Mbah a Mouté is a prince in his native village of Bia Messe (near Yaounde), as he is a son of the elected village chief, Camille Mouté à Bidias. His father is a high-ranking government official, managing the National Employment Fund of Cameroon
, a training and job-placement national agency.
in Florida
, Mbah a Mouté led the Pac-10 Champion Bruins in rebounding as a freshman. Mbah a Mouté led or tied for the lead for the Bruins in rebounding in 27 regular season games. In the NCAA tournament, Mbah a Mouté scored the winning layup at the end of a comeback win over Gonzaga
in the Sweet 16. Mbah a Mouté also posted 17 points, 9 rebounds, 2 steals, and 1 assist in a Final Four victory over LSU
. For the year, Mbah a Mouté averaged 8.9 points and 8.1 rebounds.
He became something of a cult phenomenon among the UCLA faithful. Along with fellow Cameroonian Alfred Aboya, the dynamic duo sparked the "Cameroon Crazies" (a take-off of Duke's "Cameron Crazies
" fans) section, along with an enormously popular t-shirt which read "Moute Kicks Boute". Mbah a Mouté himself became known as 'The Fresh Prince', after the television show of the same name.
His mother, Goufane a Ziem Agnes Bertine, and his father, Camille Mouté à Bidias had never seen him play for UCLA, until they came from Cameroon to attend the Final Four of the 2008 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament
. During the 2008 season, his team had a record of 35–4 and won their third-straight Pac-10 title and third-straight NCAA Final Four.
Mbah a Moute ended his UCLA career with an honorable mention All-Pac-10, honorable mention Pac-10 All-Defensive Team selection and a fifth place finish in scoring (8.8 ppg). He is ranked as the No. 15 rebounder with a total of 775 rebounds.
Mbah a Moute became the first player to start in three straight Final Fours at UCLA in thirty-four years. Bill Walton
, Jamaal Wilkes
and Greg Lee
(1972–74) were the last players at UCLA, and Andre Hutson
and Charlie Bell)
of Michigan State (1999–2001) were the last ones to do so.
at UCLA for his senior year to enter the 2008 NBA Draft
, in which he was selected by the Milwaukee Bucks
in the second round (overall pick #37).
As a second round pick, Mbah a Moute got off to a quick start with the Milwaukee Bucks, and quickly became a fan favorite. His strong play, especially on defense, led to him overtaking Charlie Villanueva as the Bucks' starting power forward only nine games into the season. In his second game as a starter, Mbah a Moute posted career highs of 19 points and 17 rebounds in a 101–96 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies
. Bucks head coach Scott Skiles
and general manager John Hammond
both praised Mbah a Moute's defensive skills. As of 2011, Mbah a Moute has averaged 6.7 points and 5.6 rebounds per game in his career. He has shot 46.7% from the field in about 26 minutes per game.
Mbah a Moute also plays for the Cameroon national basketball team
.
| align="left" | 2008–09
| align="left" | Milwaukee
| 82 || 52 || 25.8 || .462 || .000 || .729 || 5.9 || 1.1 || 1.1 || .5 || 7.2
|-
| align="left" | 2009–10
| align="left" | Milwaukee
| 73 || 62 || 25.6 || .480 || .353 || .699 || 5.5 || 1.1 || .8 || .5 || 6.2
|-
| align="left" | 2010–11
| align="left" | Milwaukee
| 79 || 52 || 26.5 || .463 || .000 || .707 || 5.3 || .9 || .9 || .4 || 6.7
|-
| align="left" | Career
| align="left" |
| 234 || 166 || 26.0 || .467 || .214 || .713 || 5.6 || 1.0 || .9 || .5 || 6.7
| align="left" | 2009–10
| align="left" | Milwaukee
| 7 || 7 || 25.4 || .520 || .000 || .600 || 5.6 || .7 || .3 || .0 || 9.1
|-
| align="left" | Career
| align="left" |
| 7 || 7 || 25.4 || .520 || .000 || .600 || 5.6 || .7 || .3 || .0 || 9.1
, edging out Arizona
freshman Marcus Williams.
Yaoundé
-Transportation:Yaoundé Nsimalen International Airport is a major civilian hub, while nearby Yaoundé Airport is used by the military. Railway lines run west to the port city of Douala and north to N'Gaoundéré. Many bus companies operate from the city; particularly in the Nsam and Mvan neighborhoods...
, Cameroon
Cameroon
Cameroon, officially the Republic of Cameroon , is a country in west Central Africa. It is bordered by Nigeria to the west; Chad to the northeast; the Central African Republic to the east; and Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and the Republic of the Congo to the south. Cameroon's coastline lies on the...
) is a Cameroon
Cameroon
Cameroon, officially the Republic of Cameroon , is a country in west Central Africa. It is bordered by Nigeria to the west; Chad to the northeast; the Central African Republic to the east; and Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and the Republic of the Congo to the south. Cameroon's coastline lies on the...
ian professional basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
player for the Milwaukee Bucks
Milwaukee Bucks
The Milwaukee Bucks are a professional basketball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States. They are part of the Central Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was founded in 1968 as an expansion team, and currently plays at the Bradley Center....
of the National Basketball Association
National Basketball Association
The National Basketball Association is the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in North America. It consists of thirty franchised member clubs, of which twenty-nine are located in the United States and one in Canada...
(NBA). Mbah a Mouté is a prince in his native village of Bia Messe (near Yaounde), as he is a son of the elected village chief, Camille Mouté à Bidias. His father is a high-ranking government official, managing the National Employment Fund of Cameroon
Cameroon
Cameroon, officially the Republic of Cameroon , is a country in west Central Africa. It is bordered by Nigeria to the west; Chad to the northeast; the Central African Republic to the east; and Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and the Republic of the Congo to the south. Cameroon's coastline lies on the...
, a training and job-placement national agency.
College career
From Montverde AcademyMontverde Academy
-Athletic Programs:...
in Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
, Mbah a Mouté led the Pac-10 Champion Bruins in rebounding as a freshman. Mbah a Mouté led or tied for the lead for the Bruins in rebounding in 27 regular season games. In the NCAA tournament, Mbah a Mouté scored the winning layup at the end of a comeback win over Gonzaga
Gonzaga University
Gonzaga University is a private Roman Catholic university located in Spokane, Washington, United States. Founded in 1887 by the Society of Jesus, it is one of 28 member institutions of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities and is named after the young Jesuit saint, Aloysius Gonzaga...
in the Sweet 16. Mbah a Mouté also posted 17 points, 9 rebounds, 2 steals, and 1 assist in a Final Four victory over LSU
Louisiana State University
Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College, most often referred to as Louisiana State University, or LSU, is a public coeducational university located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The University was founded in 1853 in what is now known as Pineville, Louisiana, under the name...
. For the year, Mbah a Mouté averaged 8.9 points and 8.1 rebounds.
He became something of a cult phenomenon among the UCLA faithful. Along with fellow Cameroonian Alfred Aboya, the dynamic duo sparked the "Cameroon Crazies" (a take-off of Duke's "Cameron Crazies
Cameron Crazies
The Cameron Crazies are the student supporters of Duke University's basketball teams, named for Duke's Cameron Indoor Stadium. Crazies stand courtside in a 1,200 seat student section and begin cheering during warmups...
" fans) section, along with an enormously popular t-shirt which read "Moute Kicks Boute". Mbah a Mouté himself became known as 'The Fresh Prince', after the television show of the same name.
His mother, Goufane a Ziem Agnes Bertine, and his father, Camille Mouté à Bidias had never seen him play for UCLA, until they came from Cameroon to attend the Final Four of the 2008 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament
2008 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament
The 2008 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament involved 65 schools playing in a single-elimination tournament to determine the national champion of men's NCAA Division I college basketball as a culmination of the 2007–08 basketball season...
. During the 2008 season, his team had a record of 35–4 and won their third-straight Pac-10 title and third-straight NCAA Final Four.
Mbah a Moute ended his UCLA career with an honorable mention All-Pac-10, honorable mention Pac-10 All-Defensive Team selection and a fifth place finish in scoring (8.8 ppg). He is ranked as the No. 15 rebounder with a total of 775 rebounds.
Mbah a Moute became the first player to start in three straight Final Fours at UCLA in thirty-four years. Bill Walton
Bill Walton
William Theodore "Bill" Walton III is a retired American basketball player and television sportscaster. The "Big Red-Head", as he was called, achieved superstardom playing for John Wooden's powerhouse UCLA Bruins in the early '70s, winning three straight College Player of the Year Awards, while...
, Jamaal Wilkes
Jamaal Wilkes
Jamaal Wilkes is a retired American basketball player who played the small forward position and won four NBA championships with the Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors. Wilkes was also a key player in the run of NCAA championships accumulated during the John Wooden era of UCLA basketball...
and Greg Lee
Greg Lee (basketball)
Gregory Scott Lee is a retired American basketball player. He won two NCAA championships at UCLA, then played two seasons of professional basketball: one in the original American Basketball Association and one in the National Basketball Association.Lee, a 6'3 guard from Reseda High School in...
(1972–74) were the last players at UCLA, and Andre Hutson
Andre Hutson
Andre Davon Hutson is an American professional player who plays for Lottomatica Roma. He plays as a small forward and power forward and he is 2.02 m in height.-Career:...
and Charlie Bell)
Charlie Bell (basketball)
Charlie Will Bell III is an American professional basketball guard for the Golden State Warriors of the NBA.-Career:He began playing basketball at Flint Southwestern Academy High School, and had an excellent college career at Michigan State University, appearing in three NCAA Final Fours, and...
of Michigan State (1999–2001) were the last ones to do so.
NBA career
Mbah a Moute gave up his eligibility to play college basketballCollege basketball
College basketball most often refers to the USA basketball competitive governance structure established by the National Collegiate Athletic Association . Basketball in the NCAA is divided into three divisions: Division I, Division II and Division III....
at UCLA for his senior year to enter the 2008 NBA Draft
2008 NBA Draft
The 2008 NBA Draft was held on June 26, 2008 at the Washington Mutual Theatre at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. In this draft, National Basketball Association teams took turns selecting amateur college basketball players and other first-time eligible players, including...
, in which he was selected by the Milwaukee Bucks
Milwaukee Bucks
The Milwaukee Bucks are a professional basketball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States. They are part of the Central Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was founded in 1968 as an expansion team, and currently plays at the Bradley Center....
in the second round (overall pick #37).
As a second round pick, Mbah a Moute got off to a quick start with the Milwaukee Bucks, and quickly became a fan favorite. His strong play, especially on defense, led to him overtaking Charlie Villanueva as the Bucks' starting power forward only nine games into the season. In his second game as a starter, Mbah a Moute posted career highs of 19 points and 17 rebounds in a 101–96 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies
Memphis Grizzlies
The Memphis Grizzlies are a professional basketball team based in Memphis, Tennessee, USA. The team is part of the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . Along with the Toronto Raptors, the Grizzlies were established in 1995 as part of the NBA's...
. Bucks head coach Scott Skiles
Scott Skiles
Scott Allen Skiles is the head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks and former American professional basketball player. He also is the former head coach of the NBA's Chicago Bulls and Phoenix Suns. Skiles holds the NBA record for assists in one game, with 30...
and general manager John Hammond
John Hammond (basketball)
John Hammond is the current general manager of the Milwaukee Bucks of the National Basketball Association, having succeeded Larry Harris on April 11, 2008. Previously, Hammond had been an assistant GM with the Detroit Pistons, where he had also worked as an assistant coach...
both praised Mbah a Moute's defensive skills. As of 2011, Mbah a Moute has averaged 6.7 points and 5.6 rebounds per game in his career. He has shot 46.7% from the field in about 26 minutes per game.
Personal
He is the twin brother of Emmanuel Bidias a Moute, who plays basketball for Texas State University.Mbah a Moute also plays for the Cameroon national basketball team
Cameroon national basketball team
Cameroon national basketball team is a basketball team that represents Cameroon on international competitions. Their best achievement is reaching the Silver Medal in FIBA Africa Championship held in 2007.- African Championship record :-Roster:...
.
Regular season
|-| align="left" | 2008–09
2008–09 NBA season
The 2008–09 NBA season was the 63rd season of the National Basketball Association . The 1,230-game regular season began on Tuesday, October 28, 2008, and ended on Wednesday, April 15, 2009...
| align="left" | Milwaukee
Milwaukee Bucks
The Milwaukee Bucks are a professional basketball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States. They are part of the Central Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was founded in 1968 as an expansion team, and currently plays at the Bradley Center....
| 82 || 52 || 25.8 || .462 || .000 || .729 || 5.9 || 1.1 || 1.1 || .5 || 7.2
|-
| align="left" | 2009–10
2009–10 NBA season
The 2009–10 NBA season was the 64th season of the National Basketball Association . The 1,230-game regular season began on Tuesday, October 27, 2009, and ended on Wednesday, April 14, 2010....
| align="left" | Milwaukee
| 73 || 62 || 25.6 || .480 || .353 || .699 || 5.5 || 1.1 || .8 || .5 || 6.2
|-
| align="left" | 2010–11
2010–11 NBA season
The 2010–11 NBA season was the 65th season of the National Basketball Association . The 2011 NBA All-Star Game was played on February 20, 2011 at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. The Dallas Mavericks defeated the Miami Heat in six games, 4 games to 2, to win their first NBA title, and...
| align="left" | Milwaukee
| 79 || 52 || 26.5 || .463 || .000 || .707 || 5.3 || .9 || .9 || .4 || 6.7
|-
| align="left" | Career
| align="left" |
| 234 || 166 || 26.0 || .467 || .214 || .713 || 5.6 || 1.0 || .9 || .5 || 6.7
Playoffs
|-| align="left" | 2009–10
2010 NBA Playoffs
The 2010 NBA Playoffs was the postseason for the National Basketball Association's 2009–10 season. The playoffs started on April 17, 2010 with ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, TNT, and NBA TV broadcasting the games in the United States...
| align="left" | Milwaukee
Milwaukee Bucks
The Milwaukee Bucks are a professional basketball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States. They are part of the Central Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was founded in 1968 as an expansion team, and currently plays at the Bradley Center....
| 7 || 7 || 25.4 || .520 || .000 || .600 || 5.6 || .7 || .3 || .0 || 9.1
|-
| align="left" | Career
| align="left" |
| 7 || 7 || 25.4 || .520 || .000 || .600 || 5.6 || .7 || .3 || .0 || 9.1
Awards and recognition
Mbah a Moute was named the Freshman of the Year in the Pacific Ten ConferencePacific Ten Conference
The Pacific-12 Conference is a college athletic conference that operates in the Western United States. It participates in the NCAA's Division I; its football teams compete in the Football Bowl Subdivision , the higher of two levels of NCAA Division I football competition...
, edging out Arizona
University of Arizona
The University of Arizona is a land-grant and space-grant public institution of higher education and research located in Tucson, Arizona, United States. The University of Arizona was the first university in the state of Arizona, founded in 1885...
freshman Marcus Williams.
External links
- Luc Mbah a Moute Draft 2008 Profile @ NBA.com
- Luc Mbah a Moute Player Info @ DraftExpress.com
- Luc Mbah a Moute – UCLA Player Bio
- Bruin Basketball Report