Yves Missi

About

Yves Thierry Missi, born 14 May 2004 in Belgium, is a Cameroonian professional basketball player for the New Orleans Pelicans, who selected him 21st overall in the 2024 NBA draft after his college career at Baylor. Though born in Belgium, he grew up in Yaoundé, Cameroon, before moving to the United States in 2021 to attend West Nottingham Academy in Maryland.

He later transferred to Prolific Prep in Napa, California, where he averaged 9.3 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game, developing into a five-star recruit ranked by ESPN as the second-best player in California, 13th nationally, and third among centers.

Missi’s high school career included standout showcase performances: he played in the 2023 Nike Hoop Summit and helped Prolific Prep win The Grind Session World Championship, earning a spot at the GEICO High School Nationals. He also competed in the Nike Elite Youth Basketball League with the PSA Cardinals, averaging 12.7 points, 9.9 rebounds, and 2.8 blocks per game, numbers that further cemented his standing as an elite prospect.

He committed to Baylor and reclassified academically to accelerate his enrollment, joining the Bears’ program before ultimately declaring for the NBA draft and landing with New Orleans as a first-round selection.

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