Biyombo was born in Lubumbashi, Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of Congo), to parents François and Françoise Biyombo. He has three brothers named Billy, Biska and Bikim, and three sisters named Bimeline, Bikelene and Bimela.[1]
At age 16, he played for Lupopo in the 2008 FIBA Africa Clubs Champions Cup, Africa's premier senior league at the time.[2] That year he was discovered by coach Mário Palma at a youth tournament in Yemen. His play impressed Palma and earned him an opportunity to train in Spain.[3]
At the 2011 Nike Hoops Summit, Biyombo participated for the World Select Team (against the USA Select Team), and recorded a triple double, with 12 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 blocks. It was the first recorded triple-double in the Summit's history.[1]
Charlotte Bobcats / Hornets (2011–2015)
Biyombo with the Charlotte Hornets in 2014
Biyombo was drafted seventh overall by the Sacramento Kings in the 2011 NBA draft, but his rights were later traded to the Charlotte Bobcats in a draft night trade.[6] On December 19, 2011, Biyombo signed a multi-year deal with the Bobcats.[7] After averaging five points per game over his first two seasons with Charlotte, Biyombo's minutes and subsequent production dropped dramatically in 2013–14 as he fell out of favor with coach Steve Clifford, as he averaged just 2.9 points in 13.9 minutes per game.
The Bobcats changed their name to the Hornets ahead of the 2014-15 season.[8] While his forte in defense and rebounding did drop in 2013–14, Biyombo began the 2014–15 season in much better form despite missing seven out of the first eight games of the season largely due to the acquisition of Jason Maxiell in the 2014 off-season.[9] With the late-December injury to center Al Jefferson, Biyombo was placed into the starting line-up.[10] On June 30, 2015, the Hornets decided not to extend a qualifying offer to Biyombo, making him an unrestricted free agent.[11]
Toronto Raptors (2015–2016)
On July 18, 2015, Biyombo signed a two-year, $5.7 million contract with the Toronto Raptors.[12][13] On August 1, 2015, he played for Team Africa at the 2015 NBA Africa exhibition game.[14] He made his debut for the Raptors in the team's season opener against the Indiana Pacers on October 28, recording 7 points and 5 rebounds in a 106–99 win.[15] Biyombo started in 18 straight games between mid-November and late December while Jonas Valančiūnas was recovering from a fractured hand. On December 17, he recorded 8 points, a then career-high 18 rebounds, and a career-high tying 7 blocks in a loss to the Charlotte Hornets.[16] Five days later, he recorded 9 points and a then career-high 20 rebounds in a 103–99 win over the Dallas Mavericks.[17] Biyombo returned to a bench role on December 30.[18] He returned to the starting line-up in mid-March with Valančiūnas out injured again. On March 17, 2016, Biyombo scored a career-high 16 points and set a franchise record with 25 rebounds in guiding the Raptors to a 101–94 overtime win over the Indiana Pacers.[19] On March 30, he recorded seven points and six rebounds in a 105–97 win over the Atlanta Hawks, helping the Raptors record a 50-win season for the first time in franchise history.[20]
The Raptors finished the regular season as the second seed in the Eastern Conference with a 56–26 record. In the first round of the playoffs, the Raptors faced the seventh-seeded Indiana Pacers, and in a Game 5 win on April 26, Biyombo recorded 10 points and 16 rebounds off the bench to help the Raptors take a 3–2 series lead.[21] The Raptors went on to win the series 4–3, moving on to the second round where they faced the Miami Heat. In Game 7 of the Raptors' series with the Heat, Biyombo recorded 17 points and 16 rebounds as a starter in a 116–89 win, helping the Raptors advance to the conference finals for the first time in franchise history.[22] In Game 3 of the conference finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers, Biyombo set a Toronto playoff record with 26 rebounds, helping the Raptors cut the Cavaliers' advantage in the series to 2–1.[23] The Raptors went on to lose the series in six games.
After declining his $2.9 million player option for the 2016–17 season, Biyombo became an unrestricted free agent on June 7, 2016.[24] Biyombo later revealed that he wished to re-sign with the Raptors, but with the re-signing of DeMar DeRozan, the Raptors did not have the salary cap space to make it possible.[25][26]
Orlando Magic (2016–2018)
Biyombo (right) with the Orlando Magic in 2017, defended by Markieff Morris
On July 7, 2016, Biyombo signed a four-year, $72 million contract with the Orlando Magic.[27][28] After exceeding the flagrant foul limit during the 2016 playoffs, Biyombo was forced to serve an NBA-mandated one-game suspension to begin the 2016–17 season.[29] He made his debut for the Magic in the team's second game of the season on October 28, scoring two points in just under 23 minutes in a 108–82 loss to the Detroit Pistons.[30] On January 16, 2017, he scored a season-high 15 points against the Denver Nuggets. He tied that mark on February 11, scoring 15 points against the Dallas Mavericks. On March 5, he grabbed a season-high 15 rebounds against the Washington Wizards.[31]
On January 1, 2018, Biyombo recorded 13 points and a season-high 17 rebounds in a 98–95 loss to the Brooklyn Nets.[32] On January 12, he scored a career-high 21 points in a 125–119 loss to the Washington Wizards.[33] On April 4, he had 12 points, 12 rebounds and a career-high five assists in a 105–100 win over the Dallas Mavericks.[34]
Return to Charlotte (2018–2021)
On July 7, 2018, Biyombo was traded back to the Charlotte Hornets in a three-team deal.[35][36] On January 5, 2019, he scored a season-high 16 points in a 123–110 loss to the Denver Nuggets.[37]
On November 27, 2019, Biyombo recorded a season-high 19 points along with 9 rebounds and two blocks in a 102–101 win against the Detroit Pistons.[38] On December 16, 2019, he logged a season-high 17 rebounds along with 11 points and a block against the Indiana Pacers.[39]
Biyombo re-signed with the Hornets on November 30, 2020.[40] On February 5, 2021, he scored a season-high 13 points, along with four rebounds and one assist in 19 minutes against the Utah Jazz.[41] On April 13, he recorded a double-double of 10 points and 12 rebounds against the Los Angeles Lakers.[42] On May 1, he had a season-high five blocks off the bench against the Detroit Pistons.[43] Biyombo again scored 13 points on May 13, where he also recorded seven rebounds and one assist against the Los Angeles Clippers.[44]
Phoenix Suns (2022–2023)
Biyombo became an unrestricted free agent after the 2020–21 season.[45] He did not sign with any team throughout 2021 in part due to him grieving for the passing of his father, François.[46] On January 1, 2022, he signed a 10-day contract with the Phoenix Suns via the COVID-19 hardship exemption.[47] On January 11, Biyombo signed for the rest of the season after showing off some very positive production during his 10-day contract.[48] On January 17, Biyombo had 17 points and 14 rebounds. Five days later, on January 22, Biyombo recorded 21 points, 13 rebounds, and 5 assists coming off the bench. From January 26–30, Biyombo became a starter once again due to injuries to Deandre Ayton and JaVale McGee. In the 17 games Biyombo played from January to February 12, the Suns were undefeated.
On November 1, 2023, Biyombo signed with the Memphis Grizzlies,[50] but was waived on January 10, 2024.[51]
Oklahoma City Thunder (2024)
On February 10, 2024, Biyombo signed with the Oklahoma City Thunder.[52] On March 6, Biyombo unexpectedly collapsed to the floor on his team's sideline during a game against the Portland Trail Blazers. He was eventually able to leave the court under his own power and was cleared of any serious medical condition.[53]
Personal life
Biyombo is a Christian.[54] He enjoys reading in his spare time and speaks five languages: English, French, Lingala, Spanish and Swahili.[55] Biyombo is eligible to play for the DR Congo men's national basketball team, but never played for the team, despite his intentions to do so in November 2018.[56]
After fainting during an NBA game in 2024 due to dehydration, Biyombo revealed that he has been fasting regularly for 13 seasons as a personal devotion to his Catholic faith.[57]
Biyombo started the Bismack Biyombo Foundation in 2016. During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the foundation donated around $1 million worth of medical supplies to people in the DR Congo.[58] In March 2022, Biyombo announced that he had pledged his salary from the entire 2021–22 season towards the construction of a hospital in Congo, in honor of his father.[59]
Marc Gasol Sáez is a Spanish former professional basketball player who is the president of Bàsquet Girona of the Liga ACB. The center is a two-time All-NBA Team member and a three-time NBA All-Star. He was named the NBA Defensive Player of the Year with the Memphis Grizzlies in 2013, and won an NBA championship with the Toronto Raptors in 2019.
Kyle Terrell Lowry is an American professional basketball player for the Philadelphia 76ers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). A six-time All-Star, he was named to the All-NBA Third Team in 2016 and won an NBA championship with the Toronto Raptors in 2019, their first and only title in franchise history. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest Raptors players of all time due to his work with turning the franchise around, from the post-Vince Carter era to their first-ever championship in 2019. As starting point guard, Lowry played an integral role in the Raptors' success from 2012 to 2021. Lowry was also a member of the U.S. national team that won a gold medal in the 2016 Summer Olympics.
Darryl Gerard "D. J." Augustin Jr. is an American former professional basketball player who played for 14 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the Texas Longhorns from 2006 to 2008. He was drafted ninth overall by the Charlotte Bobcats in the 2008 NBA draft.
Serge Jonás Ibaka Ngobila is a Spanish-Congolese professional basketball player for Real Madrid of the Spanish Liga ACB and the EuroLeague. He was drafted by the Seattle SuperSonics with the 24th overall pick in the 2008 NBA draft. Ibaka is a three-time NBA All-Defensive First Team selection and has twice led the league in blocks. Although born in the Republic of the Congo, he is also a Spanish citizen and has played for the Spain national team. In 2019, Ibaka won an NBA championship as a key member of the Toronto Raptors.
DeMar Darnell DeRozan is an American professional basketball player for the Sacramento Kings of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the USC Trojans and was selected ninth overall by the Toronto Raptors in the 2009 NBA draft. Nicknamed “Deebo”, DeRozan is a six-time NBA All-Star and a three-time All-NBA Team member. DeRozan is currently sixth among all active NBA players on the all-time scoring list.
Kemba Hudley Walker is an American professional basketball coach and former player who is a player enhancement coach for the Charlotte Hornets of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He was picked ninth overall by the Charlotte Bobcats in the 2011 NBA draft and also played for the Boston Celtics, New York Knicks, and the Dallas Mavericks, before finishing his career with AS Monaco. He played college basketball for the Connecticut Huskies. In their 2010–11 season, Walker was the nation's second-leading scorer and was named consensus first-team All-American; he also led the Huskies to a 2011 NCAA championship victory and claimed the tournament's Most Outstanding Player award. Walker is a four-time NBA All-Star, a one-time All-NBA Team member, two-time winner of the NBA Sportsmanship Award, as well as a LNB Élite champion.
James Patrick Johnson is an American professional basketball player for the Indiana Pacers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He was the starting power forward for the Wake Forest Demon Deacons from 2007 to 2009. He was drafted 16th overall in the 2009 NBA draft by the Chicago Bulls.
Michael Anthony Edward Kidd-Gilchrist Jr. is an American former professional basketball player. Kidd-Gilchrist was drafted second overall by the Charlotte Bobcats in the 2012 NBA draft. He played for the University of Kentucky men's basketball team from 2011 to 2012.
Gustavo Alfonso Ayón Aguirre is a Mexican professional basketball player for Venados de Mazatlán competing in the CIBACOPA league. He also represents the senior Mexican national basketball team in international national team competitions. Standing at a height of 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m), he plays at the center position. Ayon is a two−time All-EuroLeague Second Team selection.
Jonas Valančiūnas is a Lithuanian professional basketball player for the Washington Wizards of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He was selected by the Toronto Raptors with the fifth overall pick in the 2011 NBA draft. At the 2019 trade deadline, he was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies. In the 2021 offseason he was traded to the New Orleans Pelicans.
Ishmael Larry "Ish" Smith is an American former professional basketball player who is a pro scout for the Washington Wizards of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the Wake Forest Demon Deacons. Smith holds the record of playing for the most NBA franchises, at 13. He won an NBA championship with the Denver Nuggets in 2023.
Terrence James Elijah Ross is an American former professional basketball player. He played college basketball for the Washington Huskies, where he was a first-team All-Pac-12 selection before being drafted eighth overall in the 2012 NBA draft by the Toronto Raptors.
Lucas Riva Amarante "Bebê" Nogueira is a Brazilian former professional basketball player. He was selected with the 16th overall pick in the 2013 NBA draft by the Boston Celtics, but was later traded to the Atlanta Hawks. In 2014, his rights were traded to the Toronto Raptors.
Troy Daniels is an American professional basketball player who last played for Olimpia Milano of the Italian Lega Basket Serie A and the EuroLeague. He played college basketball for Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), where in 2013, he set the Atlantic 10 Conference record for made three-point field goals in a single game.
Jakob Pöltl is an Austrian professional basketball player for the Toronto Raptors of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the Utah Utes.
Pascal Siakam is a Cameroonian professional basketball player for the Indiana Pacers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). A two-time NBA All-Star and two-time All-NBA selection, he won an NBA championship with the Toronto Raptors in 2019. Siakam played college basketball for the New Mexico State Aggies and was named the Western Athletic Conference Player of the Year in 2016. Nicknamed "Spicy P", he was selected by Toronto with the 27th overall pick in the first round of the 2016 NBA draft. He is regarded as one of the greatest African players of all time.
Michael Edward Tobey is an American–born naturalized Slovenian professional basketball player who plays for Gran Canaria of the Spain Liga ACB and the EuroCup.
Gary Dajaun Trent Jr. is an American professional basketball player for the Milwaukee Bucks of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the Duke Blue Devils.
Christopher Boucher is a Canadian-Saint Lucian professional basketball player for the Toronto Raptors of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Born in Saint Lucia, he played college basketball for the Oregon Ducks.
Jalen Marquis McDaniels is an American professional basketball player who last played for the Toronto Raptors of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the San Diego State Aztecs. He is the older brother of basketball player Jaden McDaniels.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply. Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.
