Ex-NCAA Star Yaphet Moundi Signs with Gipuzkoa in Spain: From San Jose State to Professional Basketball

Yaphet Moundi, a 25-year-old French-Cameroonian forward, has signed a one-season contract with Inveready Gipuzkoa of Spain’s Primera FEB, the country’s second-tier basketball league, BeBasket reported.

After four years in the United States, including two in NCAA Division I, Moundi is set to begin his professional career in Saint-Sébastien, where he passed his medical and is expected to make his debut this weekend.

Gipuzkoa Signing

Moundi joins a club with a strong history in Spanish basketball. Gipuzkoa has spent eleven seasons in the top-tier Liga Endesa, most recently in 2020-2021, and finished fifth in 2011-2012 under future Real Madrid coach Pablo Laso.

The Basque team is currently competing in Primera FEB, aiming to climb the standings after a challenging start to the season. His new teammates include fellow Frenchman Corentin Falcoz and Canadian-Haitian forward Kevin Bercy.

“I’m happy to be in San Sebastián. It’s a very good team, with a great atmosphere in the group and really good guys,” Moundi told BeBasket. “I’m also happy to be with Corentin Falcoz. He’s a great teammate. Since he’s been here for a few months, he’s helping me a lot to find my bearings. It’s really a plus.”

College Career in the US

Moundi’s path to Spain began in the United States. He started his college career at Panola College in Texas, where he averaged 14.7 points and 10.1 rebounds over two seasons.

His performance there attracted around twenty scholarship offers, leading him to Iona University in New York for the 2024-2025 season. In his first year of NCAA Division I, he recorded 9.8 points and 7.4 rebounds per game, including a standout performance of 25 points and 20 rebounds against Fairfield.

He later transferred to San Jose State University in California, where he averaged 12.5 points and 7.6 rebounds in 13 games during the 2025-2026 season before a foot injury prematurely ended his year. Moundi emphasized the impact of his American experience on his work ethic.

“What I learned the most is the work ethic. Being professional on and off the court,” he said. “Whatever you put into basketball, it comes back to you. You can’t cheat.”

Wait for Eligibility

Upon returning to France in 2026, Moundi participated in preseason with SLUC Nancy but faced several months of uncertainty around his NCAA eligibility. His decision to wait was driven by a process that took several months. Moundi does not regret the choice.

“It dragged on for months and months. I chose to take the risk of waiting. It’s a risk I don’t regret,” he stated. Moundi expressed a pragmatic view of the situation.

Developing a European Game

Moundi arrives in Spain with a profile as a forward who can defend multiple positions. His primary ambition is to expand his offensive skill set, particularly his outside shooting. Over the last six months, he has dedicated himself to improving his catch-and-shoot three-point ability to become a “stretch 4” who can space the floor. In his 45 NCAA games, he attempted only three-pointers five times, making one.

“I’ve been working all summer, and even the last six months, to be a good three-point shooter on the catch and shoot,” Moundi said. “I’m working extremely hard on it to add it to my game, to spread the court and help my teammates.”

He cited AS Monaco forward Alpha Diallo, a fellow NCAA graduate, as a model for the player he aims to become. “He’s a strong defender, a good three-point shooter, capable of doing many things,” Moundi said of Diallo.

International Path

Moundi’s journey represents a growing trend of French players returning from the NCAA to professional clubs in Europe. His last official appearances in France were in the Espoirs ELITE with Le Portel. While his status as a locally trained player (JFL) could have eased a move to France’s top two leagues, he opted for Spain.

“I’m not afraid to discover something new. Anywhere in the world, I know I’ll adapt,” Moundi said. His long-term ambitions are not limited by geography or league. “I don’t set any limits for myself. If you ask me tomorrow where I want to go, I’ll tell you the NBA, that’s clear.”

Family Roots

Basketball is not the only notable sport in Moundi’s family. His father is Petit Pays, the Cameroonian musician Adolphe Claude Moundi, known as “The Turbo of Africa” for his influence on the makossa music genre.

Next Steps for Moundi

With his debut pending, Moundi’s immediate focus is on securing a role within Gipuzkoa’s rotation and continuing his development in a professional setting. His next confirmed step is to take the court for his new team this weekend in the Primera FEB.