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Gambian player update August 2008

Amadou Sambou

by Rolando Delabarrera - Aug 4, 2008

According to a small article in the Norwich Bulletin dated July 15, 2008, Amadou Sambou will be attending Putnam Science Academy in Conneticut next year. Putnam Science is a private boys boarding school . It is unclear if Sambou did not qualify for the NCAA or just thought a second post high school year would help his development. His new coach Tom Espinosa was quoted in the article as saying ," He has the talent to be special but needs to get himself into much better basketball condition".

According to a small article in the Norwich Bulletin dated July 15, 2008, Amadou Sambou will be attending Putnam Science Academy in Conneticut next year. Putnam Science is a private boys boarding school . It is unclear if Sambou did not qualify for the NCAA or just thought a second post high school year would help his development. His new coach Tom Espinosa was quoted in the article as saying ,' He has the talent to be special but needs to get himself into much better basketball condition'. Sambou is listed at 275 lbs in the article and should probably play at 240 or so. Amadou Sambou (206-C)

Taal turns pro

Njogu Taal

by Rolando Delabarrera - Jul 16, 2008

According to our own Eurobasket website, Njagu Taal has turned pro and attended the Courtside Agencies' pro camp in Frankfurt, Germany. This is a positive step for Gambian Basketball since Courtside is an established agency and will put him in situations that will foster his talent. He is of course also under representation with Courtside. I am glad that somebody reads my posts on the Gambia page from time to time. Njogu Taal (201-F, agency: Court Side)

Two more Gambians to the D1 ranks.

Saihou Jassey

by Rolando Delabarrera - Jun 11, 2008

Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville is joining the Ohio Valley Conference. They will be official members in July and begin competition in the OVC during the 2011-2012 seaon. Saihou Jassey, the 6'6'' Gambian small forward, was a sophomore this year for the cougars. Mahamoud Jabbie reported that he will be transferring to Binghamton University of the American East conference (D1). Jabbie participated this past season for UNY-Oswego where he posted solid numbers at the D3 level. These two recent additions push the Gambian Division 1 player total to 6 at the moment. Tijan Jobe has signed with Indiana< Mohammed Conteh will play for Western Michigan and Abdulai Jallow is at James Madison. Dawda Njie has signed with Georgia Southern. Amadou Sambou is expected to graduate this year but there is no word as to where he will be attending school next year.

Gambian players on US college teams

Tijan Jobe

by Rolando Delabarrera - May 24, 2008

Tijan Jobe (213-C, college: Butler County CC) of Olney Central CC has transferred to Indiana to play for the Hoosiers and their new head coach Tom Crean. The 6'11'' post player averaged 3 ppg and 3.0 rpg during his sophomore season. An exodus in the Hoosier program has dictated a need for size and Jobe is one of the largest bodies out there. It remains to be seen if he can compete at the Big 10 level.

Dawda Njie, of Bridgeton Academy, has signed with Georgia Southern as originally expected. Njie attended high school at David Emmanuel Academy right down the road, and although he has only been in the US for three years, this is a sort of home coming. A year under Coach Lesure (Bridgeton) should have improved his basketball IQ and future productivity. (edited by Jeremy Rubio)

Mahamoud Jabbi 6'7'' bright spot for Gambian Basketball

by Eurobasket - Mar 5, 2008

I wrote on a recent piece that none of the Gambian players stateside are doing well in College this year. Well, I was incorrect as I have uncovered Mahamoud Jabbie ,of the State University of New York at Oswego. The 6'7'' Gambian product is presently averaging 14ppg and 7.2 rpg and in the top 10 in NCAA3 blocks in the nation at 2.6. Oswego finshied the year at 20-7. Jabbi's family is from Serekunda and he came to the US in 1995.

I wrote on a recent piece that none of the Gambian players stateside are doing well in College this year. Well, I was incorrect as I have uncovered Mahamoud Jabbie ,of the State University of New York at Oswego. The 6'7'' Gambian product is presently averaging 14ppg and 7.2 rpg and in the top 10 in NCAA3 blocks in the nation at 2.6. Oswego finshied the year at 20-7. Jabbi's family is from Serekunda and he came to the US in 1995. He started playing basketball seriously his sophomore year of High School. As a junior at Alfred Smith High ( Bronx), he averaged 21 ppg and upped the total as a senior to 28 ppg. He made honorable mention all city as a senior. The question one raises is; 'What is he doing at a D 3 ' ? He was a 6'4'' post player in high school and grew to 6'7'' and 180 lbs after graduation. Certainly good for Oswego as he was named third team all-conference this year as a sophomore. You can catch a glimpse of this power forward as I did on Youtube. This lefty has some bounce to his game.

Yusupha Trawally -Gambian College prospect.

Yusupha Trawalley

by Eurobasket - Mar 4, 2008

Yusupha Trawally is a 6'9'' developing post player. He posesses a slender frame and needs to continue to add weight if he is to reach his full potential, but like Badara Njie , he is motivated and eager to learn the game. He would be suitalble for a smaller JUCO or NAIA looking for a 4 year player. What I did like when I saw him this past summer is his shooting touch from the midrange. I can see him developing a steady outside shot.Yusupha Trawalley (206-C)

Alieu Badara Njie- Gambian College prospect.

AlieuBadara Njie

by Eurobasket - Mar 4, 2008

Alieu Badara Njie is a 6'8'' wiry athlete with good hops and adequate lateral mobility. A member of the Wallidan team in Gambia this athletic power forward is still in the development phase ,but could materialize into a solid talent. When I saw him this past summer in Banjul, what I liked about him was his quickness for his size. Granted, he is a work in progress offensively, but in the right program he could be brought along to be a valuable defensive presence. I keep bringing up Pierre Jallow, but he is a prime example of an African athlete who transformed into a player. Jallow was a volleyball player and attended William Jewell College ( NAIA 2) and has become one of the most successful Gambian pro players alongside Boubacar Bojang.Alieu Badara Njie (203-F/C-88) Alieu might have that potential.

Njogu Taal top pro prospect (Gambia)

Njogu Taal

by Eurobasket - Mar 4, 2008

A player that deserves an opportunity to play overseas is Njogu Taal. The 6'7'' Gambian power forward has led the national team for the past five years and while many of his contemporaries have come stateside and are finishing their college careers; the talented forward has been stuck in Gambia. Njogu, as mentioned in previous article, has been denied visas several times to US schools. The 24 year old is still young enough to have a successful pro career. Having seen him 5 years ago in Banjul; I think he could be as productive as Pierre Jallow, who is having a fine professional career so far.

Njogu has a solid mid-range game and is an above average athlete. He is wiry strong and has post up ability. He will need some polishing ,but should advance quickly. He is very dedicated to the game and is hands down the best gambian on the men's team. In 05 when Gambia played Cabo Verde, Njogu scored 33 points.

Clubs or agents should contact the Gambian Basketball Federation for information on this talented Gambian.Njogu Taal (201-F)