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Get to Know Men's Basketball's Chadrack Mpoyi
7/23/2026 10:27:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Chadrack Mpoyi grew up in Likasi, DRC and started his basketball journey after playing soccer. In 2024, Mpoyi came to the United States to play basketball for Crean Lutheran High School in California. From there, Mpoyi flourished in the sport. The CIF Player of the Year, Mpoyi led Crean Lutheran to a league title and CIF Championship. He also aided the Saints to an ASEC Section 7 championship in the summer of 2025. Drawing inspiration from past NBA players by watching highlights, Mpoyi continues to improve his game to the next level. Get to know Chadrack in this most recent question/answer session.
Why Minnesota?
First and foremost, I believe in the coaches. Their vision for me to come to Minnesota was so clear. They saw how I could improve every single day for sure.
Tell us a little bit about your background and Congo? How did you get into basketball there?
I started playing basketball a little later and it was because of my brother actually. I was playing soccer before, or football as we like to say from where I'm from. I used to play football, aka soccer, and my brother started to play basketball, encouraged me to try it. From there I just kind of fell in love with the game.
You had the opportunity to play high school basketball in California. Talk about that experience and how you used it to prepare yourself for collegiate basketball?
It was a great experience for me. Coming from Congo, basketball is different than in the United States. Going to California, it was a new school and new way to play. Learning the language was a huge part of my growth. It was hard, but it was a good challenge for me.
You touched on this a bit, but what other sports did you play growing up? What age did you start to solely focus on basketball?
I played soccer growing up with my friends for fun. It was about age 13 or 14 when I started playing basketball. I kept growing and learning more about the sport and I started really focusing on basketball from there.
With your soccer background, assuming you watched the World Cup. Who were you watching?
I did. Congo, my national team played, so I had to watch them. I'm a FC Barcelona fan so I also like watching (Lionel) Messi. So mostly Argentina, Spain and Congo.
When starting up in the sport, who did you watch to mimic your game?
When I started in basketball, I watched highlights of Hakeem Olajuwon and Kevin Garrnett. I watched them the most and thought I want to play like them for sure. Once I got into the sport, I learned a lot about the games by watching highlights. I fell in love with the game and how those two played.
For those who don't know you, describe your playing style and what Gopher fans can expect when watching you?
I'm a hard working player. I can play both sides of the ball, but I'm an energy guy for sure.
What has been your biggest area of growth over the summer while with Minnesota basketball?
The physicality first, along with the speed and just this environment has been a huge opportunity for me. I had to grow from playing high school basketball first and then just getting up to that speed. The basketball IQ is also different here, so I am just being efficient in the small details to get better each day.
What are you looking forward to being a U of M student?
I'm excited to see what it looks like to have everyone back on campus. It's pretty quiet here now. I was able to see a football game when I came on my visit last year and am excited to have that energy back soon.
What are you most looking forward to this upcoming season?
I'm so excited to see how far our team can go. We compete every single day and in every practice. I'm super excited to see what we can accomplish as a team.
Favorite Food: Sweet potatoes, rice, shrimp and steak
Favorite Sports memory played: CIF championship that we won last year.
Favorite NBA Player: Giannis Antetokounmpo
Why Minnesota?
First and foremost, I believe in the coaches. Their vision for me to come to Minnesota was so clear. They saw how I could improve every single day for sure.
Tell us a little bit about your background and Congo? How did you get into basketball there?
I started playing basketball a little later and it was because of my brother actually. I was playing soccer before, or football as we like to say from where I'm from. I used to play football, aka soccer, and my brother started to play basketball, encouraged me to try it. From there I just kind of fell in love with the game.
You had the opportunity to play high school basketball in California. Talk about that experience and how you used it to prepare yourself for collegiate basketball?
It was a great experience for me. Coming from Congo, basketball is different than in the United States. Going to California, it was a new school and new way to play. Learning the language was a huge part of my growth. It was hard, but it was a good challenge for me.
You touched on this a bit, but what other sports did you play growing up? What age did you start to solely focus on basketball?
I played soccer growing up with my friends for fun. It was about age 13 or 14 when I started playing basketball. I kept growing and learning more about the sport and I started really focusing on basketball from there.
With your soccer background, assuming you watched the World Cup. Who were you watching?
I did. Congo, my national team played, so I had to watch them. I'm a FC Barcelona fan so I also like watching (Lionel) Messi. So mostly Argentina, Spain and Congo.
When starting up in the sport, who did you watch to mimic your game?
When I started in basketball, I watched highlights of Hakeem Olajuwon and Kevin Garrnett. I watched them the most and thought I want to play like them for sure. Once I got into the sport, I learned a lot about the games by watching highlights. I fell in love with the game and how those two played.
For those who don't know you, describe your playing style and what Gopher fans can expect when watching you?
I'm a hard working player. I can play both sides of the ball, but I'm an energy guy for sure.
What has been your biggest area of growth over the summer while with Minnesota basketball?
The physicality first, along with the speed and just this environment has been a huge opportunity for me. I had to grow from playing high school basketball first and then just getting up to that speed. The basketball IQ is also different here, so I am just being efficient in the small details to get better each day.
What are you looking forward to being a U of M student?
I'm excited to see what it looks like to have everyone back on campus. It's pretty quiet here now. I was able to see a football game when I came on my visit last year and am excited to have that energy back soon.
What are you most looking forward to this upcoming season?
I'm so excited to see how far our team can go. We compete every single day and in every practice. I'm super excited to see what we can accomplish as a team.
Favorite Food: Sweet potatoes, rice, shrimp and steak
Favorite Sports memory played: CIF championship that we won last year.
Favorite NBA Player: Giannis Antetokounmpo
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