UM basketball team adds four-star French guard Paul Djobet for 2023-24 season

The University of Miami men’s basketball team added 6-7 French guard Paul Djobet to the 2023-24 roster, coach Jim Larrañaga announced Friday.

Djobet, a native of Lille, France, is an ESPN four-star recruit who has been playing in the United States the past few years. He most recently attended West Oaks Academy in Orlando. Djobet averaged 17 points and 10 rebounds per game as a senior and helped West Oaks reach the Sunshine Independent Athletic Association (SIAA) state title game. He earned SIAA Player of the Year and First Team All-State recognition.

“We are happy to welcome Paul and his family into our program. Paul is a hard-working, competitive player who possesses tremendous length, a versatile skill set and great positional height,” Larrañaga said. “He has continued to polish his game and made impressive strides this past year. In addition, he is a humble individual who will mesh well with the culture we have created at The U. My staff and I believe Paul has excellent upside and a bright future at Miami.”

He plays for Showtime Ballers on the AAU circuit and is ranked by ESPN as the No. 14 player in the state of Florida.

Prior to transferring to West Oaks, Djobet spent two years at Solid Rock Academy in Riverdale, Georgia, where he won the Georgia Independent School Association (GISA) state title and GISA Player of the Year both seasons.

“Paul Djobet made his mark last summer on the circuit. He owns a great frame at 6-7 with a 7’-0 wingspan,” ESPN recruiting director Paul Biancardi said. “He’s from France and has only been playing in the States for the last few years. His versatility to drive the ball past different-sized defenders is real. He possesses touch both inside and out, which makes him a creative scorer. The next step is to rebound with urgency and refine his skills. Djobet has plenty of promise and Coach Larrañaga has an uber successful track record in winning and player development.”

Djobet is the fourth signee for the 2023-24 season, joining Florida State transfer guard Matthew Cleveland, Swiss guard Kyshawn George and four-star Canadian forward/center Michael Nwoko.