Seven-foot 2024 junior college prospect Mohamadou Cisse has recently been busy trying to find a land spot for the upcoming season. Cisse picked up an offer from Seton Hall yesterday following a Zoom meeting with the Pirates, according to Jake Lieberman of JALhoops.
Cisse, who began his career at St. Louis, also recently hosted meetings with Chattanooga and La Salle.
After proclaiming that Cisse would make a decision soon on Friday, Lieberman tweeted earlier this afternoon that Cisse has decided to attend La Salle. He will have two years of eligibility left.
2024 7-foot Junior College Prospect Spurns Seton Hall To Return To A-10
Cisse played last season at Trinity Valley Community College (Trinity Texas). Cisse averaged 5,5 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks in 34 games, including 26 starts. He shot 54.7% from the field, 10% from the 3-point line (1-10), and 59.2% from the free throw line.
While Cisse’s stats weren’t overwhelming, he picked up his production during Region 14 conference play. Cisse scored in double-figures six times and grabbed double-digit rebounds on seven occasions. He also produced 10 points on 4 of 8 shooting (50%) from the field and 11 rebounds in 38 minutes over two games.
Cisse is a very mobile and skilled big man who can play both frontcourt positions. He has a 7-3 wingspan and excels around the rim, blocking shots, catching lobs, and on the glass.
Who Is Mohamadou Cisse?
Cisse hails from Dakar, Senagal. The 21-year-old spent time with the French Club Monaco AS Under-21 team from 2019-2021 before moving to the United States. He attended Hillcrest Prep in Gilbert (Arizona) before moving to finish his prep career at Putnam Science Academy in Putnam (Connecticut).
Cisse entered college basketball as a three-star recruit in 2022. Cisse originally signed with SMU but opted out of his NLI and ultimately signed with Saint Louis. He also held offers from Arizona, Georgia, Texas Tech, and Arizona State.
Cisse didn’t play much for Saint Louis, seeing 54 minutes of action over 15 appearances for Bilikins in 2022-23. He totaled eight points, eight rebounds, three blocks, and 14 fouls.
3 Schools Interested In Cisse
While Cisse may have more Division I schools interested than known, here is a look at the trio of schools that have contacted him.
Seton Hall Pirates
Seton Hall finished last season with 25 wins and champions of the NIT. The 25 victories were eight more than the Pirates produced in coach Shaheen Holloway’s first campaign.
Seton Hall has two scholarships available and lost three centers from last season. As a result, the Pirates are looking to add depth to their frontcourt.
Halloway did bring in 6-9 Louisville transfer Emmanual Okorafor and 6-9 Wisconsin transfer Gus Yalden. The Pirates also have commitments from two freshmen, Godswill Erheriene and Assane Mbaye.
Chattanooga Mocs
Chattanooga likely wasn’t a factor in Cisse’s recruitment, as the Mocs only had one scholarship available.
La Salle Explorers
La Salle posted a 16-17 record last, but they were just 6-12 in A-10 play. While the Explorers extended their losing season streak to four straight, they did win one more game than they did in coach Fran Dunphy’s first season with the program. The Explorers last winning season was 10 years ago and they have not finished with more than six conference wins since 2018-19.
La Salle lost their starting center Rokas Jocius to the transfer portal, though Dunphy did bring in 6-10 Penn State transfer Demetrius Lilley. One of Dunphy’s 2024 incoming freshmen is a big, 6-10 Efstratios Kalliontzis from Greece.
6-7 Ryan Zan, who appeared in 30 games last year, and seldom-used 6-9 Milos Kovacevic are the other players listed on the Explorers frontcourt depth at power forward.
What does Cisse bring to La Salle?
Cisse helps improve the Explorers’ frontcourt depth. He will also help in two areas that were the Explorers’ particular weaknesses last season: rim-protection and rebounding.
With Cisse’s commitment, La Salle may need to adjust its roster. According to Verbal Commits, the Explorers now have 14 players on scholarship, though it is unknown if everyone listed is on scholarship.
