NEWARK — Bourama Sidibe, the 6-foot-10, 215-pound big man from St. Benedict’s Prep, took his first official visit to Texas Tech this past weekend.
“It was good, they have a great facility and they really care about their players which is good,” Sidibe told me Tuesday at practice.
Texas Tech head coach Chris Beard is recruiting Sidibe, a native of Mali.
“They say they’re going to use me as a four and a three if I come,” he said. “They say if I get there they’re going to work on my body and get me stronger and get me to the gym every day, any time I can they’re going to be coaches there.”
Sidibe next visits Oklahoma State this coming weekend before going to Syracuse the weekend of Nov. 11. A Syracuse coach is also expected in this week to see him.
Seton Hall head coach Kevin Willard and assistant Grant Billmeier were also in the St. Benedict’s gym on Monday and are trying to get Sidibe on a visit. Seton Hall is in the market for a big man and possibly a point guard in 2017.
“They came to make sure I visit them, so I’m thinking about it right now,” Sidibe said. “I might take an official, I might. I haven’t made the date yet.”
In one recent scrimmage, Sidibe went for 14 points, 17 rebounds and 10 blocks.
“Bourama is a special player,” Gray Bees coach Mark Taylor said. “He is super long and athletic for a big man with tremendous instincts and timing. He is a game-changer and a difference maker. He’s the best big man I have coached and that includes [former NBA lottery pick] Andrew Bynum. Bourama has a much bigger upside.”
(AP Photo | Gregory Payan)
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