Cameroonian NBA Star Mbah a Moute is Supersports.com's African Player of the Week

Los Angeles Clippers small forward Luc Mbah a Moute may not be putting up big numbers this season, but his defensive game continues to make waves.

And it comes as no surprise that the Cameroonian is this week’s supersport.com African Player of the Week for games played from 28 December to 3 January.

Even though Bismack Biyombo continues to win hearts in Canada helping the Toronto Raptors claim a 2-2 mark this past week - thanks to his rebounds and rim protection ability - and Oklahoma City Thunder forward Serge Ibaka made a tremendous difference in OKC's 3-0 mark, Mbah a Moute played a major role in the Clippers' four wins in as many games.

As of Sunday, 3 December the 29-year-old forward averaged a career-low 2.4 points and 2.1 rebounds, but looking thoroughly to his defensive acumen, and it becomes clear why he has started the last 19 games, helping the Clippers to a 14-5 dating back to 27 November.

This past week was business as usual for Mbah a Moute as the Cameroonian did what he does best, guarding the opponents' best players.

Just watch the Clippers' past few games, and most likely you will see the Cameroonian defend the best players, regardless of their size.

When he’s on the court, the Clippers allow just 97.9 points per 100 possessions. When he’s off it, they allow 102.5.

And Clippers head coach Doc Rivers has taken notice.

“He’s just really good at what he does, he’s one of those guys that accepts what he does,” Rivers said.

“He’s good being a defender. A lot of guys in the league think that’s, like, ‘Don’t call me a defensive player.’ He’s all good with it. He likes it.”

Not bad for Mbah who had little playing time to start the season.

“He literally can guard all five positions,” Rivers explained. “There’s not a lot of guys in the league that can do that.”

Even last season's Defensive Player of the Year candidate DeAndre Jordan sees something special in Mbah a Moute’s game.

“I love Luc on both ends of the floor. He’s a tough guy, he’s a really good defender, he’s going to make the right cuts and screens and do all the dirty work. When you have a guy like that on your team who is really going to do anything you ask in order to help the team, it’s great,” Jordan said.

And what does Mbah a Moute has to say about this moment?

“You appreciate being on a team like this,” he said.

“No offense to Philly, or my time there, every time we played hard. We were young, played hard, competed, but we weren’t as talented. You definitely appreciate the value of having a good team and playing on a good team.”

The Clippers visit Portland on Wednesday night (Thursday morning SA time).

(Supersports)