As seen in The Marshall Parthenon
For the past three seasons as a Marshall University men’s basketball team center, senior Yous Mbao has been playing far from his home country. This year, a new addition to the team has brought home back to him.
Several months ago the Herd received a commitment from a junior college player, Cheikh Sane. Sane grew up in Senegal playing soccer and only has six years of basketball experience. He only decided to play basketball after his brother told him that was the only way he would get his own pair of Nike sneakers.
Senegal has a small population of 13 million and is located on the Atlantic Ocean. The republic is named after the Senegal River, which borders it to the east and north. It was known as part of French West Africa until the French colonies won their independence in 1960. Sane hails from the republic’s capital city of Dakar, while Mbao’s native city ofRufisque is only a short drive away.
Before traveling to America, Sane spent grades nine through 12 at a preparatory boarding school named SEEDS (Sports for Education and Economic Development in Senegal) which used sports to inspire the youth in Senegal towards a better education and overall life. The school has about 50 students, and basketball is the only sport offered. SEEDS has produced several elite basketball players such as Gorgui Dieng, who formerly played at Louisville, and Baye Keita of Syracuse.
SEEDS was successful in inspiring Sane and he decided to leave his native country to attend Snow College, a junior college in Utah. Although he spoke no English upon his arrival he did not let that hold him back. He averaged 10.4 points with nine rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game in his sophomore year, which helped boost his team to a 20-11 record.
After making his official visit last April, Sane committed to Marshall, citing that he enjoyed the program and had grown a relationship with the coaches. Sane has since said that he has enjoyed his time in Huntington as well.
“I really like the town,” Sane said. “Living here I don’t have to worry about distractions. I can focus on school and basketball”
Yous Mbao is in his fourth season with the Herd. He sat out his freshman year in compliance with NCAA transfer regulations after transferring from Marquette. While he played 33 games in his sophomore season, his junior year was brought to a halt and highly effected after he sustained a head injury in practice. Because of this he missed eight-straight games and suffered from migraines throughout the season.
Sane and Mbao did not know each other until Sane made his official visit to Marshall, but they have formed a bond that most many wouldn’t understand. Sane and Mbao are often heard speaking to each other in their native tongue. Both players said since they both haven’t been home in years, something as small as hearing French is enough to sooth their homesickness.
Mbao, only one of two seniors on the team, has stepped up as a leader this season offering his support and advice to the new players in their transition into Division-1 basketball according to Sane.
“He’s really helping me a lot, looking out for me, helping me improve my game,” Sane said. “We both came here to get what we want, to get better and to improve our game.”
Mbao said he has just been trying to improve the relationship of the team members overall.
“We have a good chemistry this year,” he said. “Everyone gets along, everyone knows players strength and weaknesses and that allows us to communicate issues.”
Coach Herrion said he believes the team chemistry has really come together this year, thanks to the seniors. He also said he feels something with this team he hasn’t in a long time.
“I don’t think I have been as energized with a group of guys as I have with this team,” Herrion said. “It’s been fun and I am anxious to get the season started”
For the 2013 season, both Mbao and Sane are expected to be starters, helping propel the team to greatness throughout the season.
Courtney Sealey can be contacted at sealey3@marshall.edu.
http://www.marshallparthenon.com/senegalese-duo-find-familiarity-far-from-home-country-1.2845988#.UoJh0pGFGgE
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