7'5''...Mamadou Ndiaye...Commits to UC Irvine
He looks decent, but if he is 7-5 and going to UC Irvine he must not be too good. He is at least in shape and moves decent for being 7-5. Hopefully nothing happens to him like Kenny George, and he at least has a chance to reach his potential
He's got a slim chance at playing in the NBA. The giants aren't as much of a commodity, not because of the pace of the game, because it's still slower than it was in the late 80's and early 90's, but the fact they added the defensive 3 seconds.
The exceptions of the last decade have been Big Z and Yao, but both were very skilled and could shoot the ball. I don't know much about Ndiaye's game, but his chance is slim IMO.
I would go with slim as well, but I think that while the "pace" may not be as fast as it was in the 80-90's as far as scoring numbers, there is much more emphasis on speed. What I will say is, defensive 3 seconds is when you are not within arms length of your opponent. This kid was measured with a (freaking) 8-1 wingspan at the Amare Stoudemire Skills Academy. Guessing that might make his arms length thing a bit of a moot point.
What I have heard is, they are unsure about his actual age. Not to mention, it definitely appears he may have issues with his pituitary gland, which of course could lead to health issues. Still, when you are that big, you always at the very least have a chance. Serious project, but if he manages to prove himself as a rebounder and defender, their are teams willing to have a mammoth third center on the end of their bench.
At the very least, he will disrupt at the college level enough for some to take notice. Like most guys this big, the key will be for how many minutes per game. Conditioning will always be difficult, has to be hard to run that body up and down the floor. I know there are scouts out there who are really high on him after impressing at the NBPA Top 100 camp, where he helped his team to a championship.
Ndiaye is apparently not the only 7-footer in this recruiting class as Greece's own John Dimakopoulous (aka Giannis or Ioannis) is reported to have also signed with the Anteaters (hilarious nickname. Yes, I realize my schools nickname is the Ducks, makes the Anteaters no less hilarious) per Rafa Juc of Eurohopes.
They also are bringing in an intriguing PG from the UK in Luke Nelson. During the U18 European Division B Championships, Nelson put up 16.7 ppg, 5.2 rpg and 3.4 apg, leading the team in points/assists. Also averaged a high number of turnovers, though he is still young and seems promising.
Russell Turner has yet to have a lot of success in his two years, though this team might finally do fairly well. Beat Nevada by 14, lost to UCLA by 1. Have to say that his recruiting class looks to be one that could really get this program in the right direction.
Tallest player in high school (maybe ever)...Mamadou Ndiaye...has commited to UC Irvive...HUGE commitment...literally.
Mamadou Ndiaye Player Profile