African Big Men at CSI
The College of Southern Idaho has produced a number of quality big men in the last few years, and the Golden Eagles may have a pair of impact players this fall via Africa.
Abdoulaye Ndiaye, a 6-11, 220 pound center from the Senegal, and Mohammed Kone, a 6-11 power forward from the Ivory Coast, should help anchor CSI's front line in 2003-2004.
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CSI Asst. Coach Barret Peery filled JUCO Junction in on the duo this week.
Even though he's only a freshman, Ndiaye is ticketed for San Diego. In fact, if he sails through the NCAA Clearinghouse this fall, Peery said that Ndiaye could sign a letter of intent with San Diego.
"He's big, strong and physical," Peery said. "He can score around the basket, block shots and is a good defender in the post. He just needs to continue improving his offensive game."
Ndiaye's counterpart from Africa, Kone, spent some time in France before enrolling at Southern Idaho this fall.
Kone is a more polished prospect than Ndiaye at this stage, according to Peery.
"He has a good skill level, size and the ability to face up," he said. "He's very fluid, and can run and jump."
Unlike Ndiaye, Kone's recruitment will be open. Colleges such as Kansas, UCLA and Brigham Young have already expressed interest in Kone.
"People are still learning that he's here," Peery said.
JUCO Junction plans on catching CSI in action later this season, so keep it tuned here for the best coverage of JC basketball on the internet.