The "Wingspan Freak" Stays in the NBA! Bamba Returns to the Jazz on a Two-Year Deal, Still Only 28 and Offering Great Value

On July 9, Beijing time, per Shams Charania, free-agent center Mo Bamba has inked a two-year deal to return to the Utah Jazz. The Jazz secured the agreement with his representatives—Mark Bartelstein and Greer Love—today, bringing back the center who briefly played for Utah last season.

Bamba stands 7 feet tall (2.13 m) and weighs 230 pounds (104 kg), boasting an extraordinary 7-foot-10 (2.39 m) wingspan. He was selected 6th overall by the Orlando Magic in the 2018 NBA Draft, making him a draft class peer of Luka Dončić, Deandre Ayton, and Trae Young.

In his lone college season at the University of Texas, he averaged 12.9 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 3.7 blocks per game, leading his conference in rebounds and blocks. He earned Big 12 Freshman of the Year and All-Defensive Team honors, and scouts had high expectations for him due to his elite physical attributes, drawing comparisons to Rudy Gobert and Anthony Davis.

Since entering the league, Bamba has played for multiple teams: the Magic, Lakers, 76ers, Clippers, Pelicans, Raptors, and Jazz. Over his career, he has averaged 6.7 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks in 16.7 minutes per game, while also shooting 35.6% from three-point range. His best season was 2021-22 with the Magic, where he averaged 10.6 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks, once scoring a career-high 32 points on 8 three-pointers, earning a two-year, $21 million extension.

Bamba’s game has clear strengths: his enormous wingspan gives him elite rim protection and rebounding positioning, and he can space the floor by shooting threes, fitting well in modern small-ball lineups. His weaknesses include lack of physical strength, poor defensive positioning, and limited court awareness, often leading to foul trouble, which has prevented him from securing a consistent starting role.

He briefly played for the Jazz during the 2025-26 season. The Jazz front office values his ability as a stretch big man who can provide rim protection off the bench while also opening up the floor on offense, serving as a rotational interior presence.

Now 28 years old, Bamba continues to survive in the league on his rare physical gifts, making him a cost-effective, functional center. He is well-suited for rebuilding teams looking to add depth in the frontcourt, offering immediate contributions through blocks and three-point shooting off the bench.