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DAVIS, Calif. – Nabi Kibunguchy became the third UC Davis player drafted by a Major League Soccer team in as many years, and the fifth in program history, when Minnesota United FC selected him with the 18th overall pick in the first round of Thursday's MLS SuperDraft.
 
Kibunguchy now joins an elite list of Aggie professionals that includes Wallis Lapsley (2020) and Roy Boateng (2019), each drafted by the New York Red Bulls, Quincy Amarikwa (San Jose Earthquakes, 2009) and Ryan Shaw (Los Angeles Galaxy, 2005).
 
Kibunguchy ended an outstanding college career in 2019 by earning All-Big West First Team and United Soccer Coaches All-Far West Region Second Team honors after leading the Aggies to a berth in the NCAA Tournament. Men's soccer also won Big West regular season and postseason tournament championships, in the same season, for the first time in program history.
 
Kibunguchy was the leader of the Aggies' backline, which ended that year as one of the stingiest defensive units in the nation by posting a 0.63 GAA (a new all-time program low) and allowing only 13 goals — the fewest among all Big West schools and one of the lowest totals at the Division I level.
UC Davis' defense played a key role in helping the team earn an opening-round bye in the 2019 NCAA Tournament as one of its top seeds; ranked No. 14, the Aggies also hosted the inaugural Division I Tournament Second Round home game in program history.
 
Throughout his college career, the Elk Grove, California native led the Aggies to three Big West titles, earned two All-Far West Region and five All-Big West awards.
 
 
ABOUT UC DAVIS
Over 700 student-athletes across 25 intercollegiate athletics teams, following the addition of equestrian and women's beach volleyball in 2018, are enrolled in 71 of more than 100 academic programs at the fifth-ranked public school in the nation.
 
Centrally located between San Francisco, Lake Tahoe and the Napa Valley, UC Davis is known nationwide as a leader in Title IX gender equity and leadership, ranks annually in the top 10 in diversity and students' social mobility and offers an unrivaled student-athlete experience that features the ideal combination of elite academics, Division I athletics and personal growth.
 
UC Davis is uncommonly committed to preparing student-athletes for life after graduation with Aggie EVO — an innovative student-athlete outcomes program that helps young women and men develop passions, gain real-world experience, and enjoy a successful launch to full-time employment or graduate school. Through Aggie EVO, Intercollegiate Athletics provides unmatched resources and a vast network of working professionals to ensure post-graduation success for its student-athletes.