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.
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.
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.
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
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 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)
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 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.
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.
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.
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)
It has been a lackluster year for Gambians stateside. Gone are the days of Pierre Jallow and Bojang where some productivity could be had in the collegiate ranks. The next crop of college players will have to carry the mantle for Gambian basketball in the US. Saihou Jassey, of SIU-Edwardsville ,finished the year averaging 2.6 ppg 1.3 rpg while playing 7.6 minutes per game. Tijan Jobe, of Olney Central ,finished his season averaging 3.0 ppg and 3.0 rpog.
It has been a lackluster year for Gambians stateside. Gone are the days of Pierre Jallow and Bojang where some productivity could be had in the collegiate ranks. The next crop of college players will have to carry the mantle for Gambian basketball in the US. Saihou Jassey, of SIU-Edwardsville ,finished the year averaging 2.6 ppg 1.3 rpg while playing 7.6 minutes per game. Tijan Jobe, of Olney Central ,finished his season averaging 3.0 ppg and 3.0 rpog.
On the high school/prep front we will not know where Dawda Njie will end up till April when the late signing period begins. Mohammed Conteh was to attend Bloomington South High School, but instead returned to Providence School in Jakcsonville Florida. Conteh signed with Western Michigan in August. No real news has emerged on Amadou Sambou. The 5th year senior has not been heard of on the recruiting trail , but if he qualifies , look for a low major to take a chance on this 6'9'' Center.
Libasse Saye is transferring to Shaw University at last report. Libasse had a scholarship offer from Rogers State at the end of the 06/07 year, but decided to expand his options.
Gallo Cham is finishing school at North Florida and no longer on the Team.Ismaial Njie is also no longer playing.
Dawda Njie ,of Bridgeton Academy, was supposed to have signed with Georgia Southern University in the early signing period but, there has been no report of a signing and it has not appeared in print anywhere. This means that the 6'7'' forward might be open for the late signing period. Dawda Njie (201-F)
Dawda Njie ,of Bridgeton Academy, was supposed to have signed with Georgia Southern University in the early signing period but, there has been no report of a signing and it has not appeared in print anywhere. This means that the 6'7'' forward might be open for the late signing period. Dawda Njie (201-F)
Mohammed Conteh is said to be attending his last year of high school in Indiana and has made a verbal commitment to Western Michigan. Saihou Jassey has transferred from Divison 1 Bradley where he avearged 1.8 ppg, 0.7 rpg in 5.7 minutes of play. Jassey is now suiting up for Southern Illinois University -Edwardsville , a D2 school where he will have three years to play.
Mohammed Conteh is said to be attending his last year of high school in Indiana and has made a verbal commitment to Western Michigan. Saihou Jassey has transferred from Divison 1 Bradley where he avearged 1.8 ppg, 0.7 rpg in 5.7 minutes of play. Jassey is now suiting up for Southern Illinois University -Edwardsville , a D2 school where he will have three years to play. Tijan Jobe begins his Sophomore year at Olney Central CC and has a number of low to mid D1's recruiting him. GalloCham enters his Senior season at North Florida where he played only 10 games before beig declared ineligible for second semester play. Dawda Njie is suiting up for Bridgeton Academy and coach Wit Lesure. Njie has verballed to Georgia Southern University out of High School and is expected to sign in the early signing period. Amadou Sambou beings his 5 th year senior season at Mt Zion Christian Academy is Durham. Saihou Jassey (198-F-86)
