Former NBA forward Luc Richard Mbah a Moute is joining CAA as a player agent with a focus on Africa, he told ESPN.
Mbah a Moute, who last played for the Houston Rockets in 2020, often returned to his native Cameroon during his playing career to run basketball camps that helped discover and develop young talent.
“I was just doing it to mentor kids and making sure I help as many as possible because I was in a position to do so,” Mbah a Moute said. “I had limited resources, though. I’ll have a lot more … especially at this time now where it’s the time for Africa.”
During his playing career, Mbah a Moute helped Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid and Toronto Raptors forward Pascal Siakam go from Cameroon to high school and college in the United States.
Both came through camps that Mbah a Moute ran in Cameroon. The camps often fed players into the Basketball Without Borders program.
“I’m not saying we’ll find another Joel or Pascal,” he said. “But from what I’m seeing, Africa’s not benefiting from its athletes the way it should. There’s a lot more players who need to get an opportunity, whether it’s becoming a pro or a coach or even a GM, like [Toronto Raptors president] Masai Ujiri.”
The NBA has increased its investment in Africa in recent years, opening academies in Senegal and South Africa, as well as running the Basketball Africa League.
“We are proud to work alongside our former client Luc Mbah a Moute to further establish our reach in Africa,” said Austin Brown and Aaron Mintz, co-heads of basketball at CAA Sports. “This is an important market and key area of growth for us, and Luc’s knowledge of the region, combined with his experience and relationships, will be instrumental. We couldn’t be more excited for what the future holds in store.”