Inside the NIL Dispute Holding Up Paul Mbiya’s Kansas Return

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Inside the NIL Dispute Holding Up Paul Mbiya’s Kansas Return

Originally posted on Heartland College Sports
By Conner Becker | Last updated Apr 16, 2026 4:42 PM ET

It seems Kansas Jayhawks forward Paul Mbiya is more than ready to return for another season, but some bad apples are clogging up the works.

A new report by the Lawrence Journal-World reveals that Mbiya’s management, Yacine Fylla, is hopeful the Kongo native can stay at Kansas should they strike “the deal he deserves.” Fylla mentioned in the same report that Mbiya, a native of Kinshasa, Congo, needs help to “understand it’s also a business.”

Here is the initial report below from Henry Greenstein of the Journal-World:

Paul Mbiya is "100% jayhawks" and wants to return to KU but has not yet reached a final agreement.

"We are trying to get him the deal he deserves," his management Yacine Fylla told the Journal-World via DM. "He is on emotion. We need to help him understand it's also a business."
— Henry Greenstein (@HenryGreenstein) April 16, 2026

Yep, Mbiya’s representation isn’t satisfied with the deal Kansas has put forth for Mbiya, an 18-year-old freshman who averaged 1.2 points and 1.4 rebounds on 68.8% shooting in his college debut. It’s not enough, and his agent is at odds with where Mbiya seemingly wants to play ball.

Don’t get me wrong – Paul is a young player with tremendous upside, and the Jayhawks should do everything within reason to compensate him appropriately. But this, an agent reporting on Mbiya’s behalf to the local newspaper, warrants understandable frustration considering the starting roster’s already gone.

Kansas Fans React

The internet didn’t have much patience for the news, either.

Remember when athletes would have no tuition debt as a scholarship was enough to just go to class and practice. I miss those days!
— RoyalChiefSpurJayhawk (@TheJayhawk4ever) April 16, 2026

THIS is what is wrong with college hoops, unfortunately.
— Steve Doyel (@stevedoyel) April 16, 2026

The fact that agents are involved is ridiculous.
— Howard A Lapin (@HowardLapin) April 16, 2026

For some context, Mbiya first reportedly entered the transfer portal on Monday, April 6, one day before the transfer portal opened. A report by the Kansas City Star suggested that Mbiya was attached to Kansas and seeking an avenue to return for his sophomore season.

Now, we’re hearing that the big man’s caught between the struggle of an overzealous agent and the Kansas NIL chest. Fantastic.

This article first appeared on Heartland College Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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