An interview with Youssoupha Mbao
I had a chance recently to catch up with MU's newest big man, 7-foot-2 Youssoupha Mbao of Stoneridge Prep in Simi Valley, Calif.
Considering English is his fourth language -- he also speaks French, Spanish and his tribal dialect -- Mbao, a native of Dakar Senegal, was very well-spoken and seemed genuinely excited about the opportunity ahead of him with the Golden Eagles.
Talking to him, it was hard not to draw comparisons to the earliest conversations I had with one of his countrymen and ex-MU big man Ousmane Barro. Unlike Mbao, who's been in the United States for only about a year, Barro had the benefit of having lived with a surrogate family in Chicago prior to coming to MU.
Mbao, now 19, has been traveling and playing basketball since the age of 14.
Physically speaking, one can draw comparisons between the two at similar stages as well. While Mbao is four inches taller than Barro -- and presumably with some more room to grow -- his body is very similar in that he's long-limed and sinewy, but certainly not devoid of muscle.
Mbao appears to have a frame that's very amenable to putting on quality weight quickly. A few months with strength and conditioning coach Todd Smith should get him on the right path prior to next season.
Barro didn't have much of an offensive game when he arrived at MU, and by most accounts Mbao is lacking in that area as well. But like Barro, Mbao is able and willing to run the floor, which obviously helps. The biggest difference will be defensively -- Mbao is a proven shot blocker whereas Barro didn't have much of a feel in that area.
If Mbao can improve his lower-body strength and learn to hold his ground, he could develop into a consistent rebounder in time as well. His length and athleticism will certainly help him in that regard.
There are still some issues to be ironed out with the NCAA clearinghouse regarding Mbao's eligibility for next season, but if anyone remembers the cases of Lazar Hayward and Trevor Mbakwe, it could wind up being a long, drawn-out process that won't be settled until the fall.
Anyway, here's the interview:
What were your impressions of the school and your future teammates?
"When I came, they were very open. They told me everything about the school, that it's a great academic school and a great school for basketball. A great team. A great coach. So I think it's a great opportunity for me to be part of the Marquette family."
How do you like Buzz so far?
"He's a very good guy. He showed me around the campus, showed me everything."
What has your life been like, traveling, playing basketball and going to school?
"Yeah. I started in 2004 when I was in Senegal, and when I got out I was 14, 14 1/2 -- real young. It's been a great experience for me, traveling and seeing the world and all that stuff."
Do you know Ousmane Barro at all?
"I haven't met him in person. My coach, Babacar (Sy, at Stoneridge Prep), knows him from Senegal. He said he's a great guy, a good student."
Was your visit to MU the first time you've been to the Midwest?
"Yeah, it was the first time I'd been to Milwaukee. It's a big city, and there's a lot of things I'm going to learn there."
Are you accustomed to cold weather?
"(laughs) When I got there (last weekend), it was really cold."
You've probably already been informed, but if you think that was cold, wait until the winter.
"(laughs) That's what they tell me -- snow like, three or four feet high or something like that."
What are your strengths as a player?
"My passing, handling the ball with my teammates so I can create space. Setting screens."
You're also a shot blocker, correct?
"When I started playing ball, when I left Senegal, all I knew was grab the rebound, block shots and run the floor. I keep working on my hands, and getting stronger day after day."
Did you play any other sports growing up?
"I played a little bit of soccer with my friends because where I'm from, everyone was playing it. But after a couple years, I started playing basketball. When I was 13, I was 6-9, 6-10."
So what's the plan for you from this point forward?
"I have class, and then I have the SAT to take next week. They tell me I've got to come back at the end of June. So I'll keep working."
http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/44230942.html
