Although it wasn’t a total surprise, Cincinnati Bearcats’ 7-foot center Aziz Bandaogo withdrew his name from the NBA Draft on Tuesday. The UC confirmed the news first reported by Jon Rothstein of Keynote USA Sports.
Even as Bandaogo declared he was “testing the water” in a social media graphic, he wrote, “I have decided to give the NBA Draft a try, but I plan to finish my college career at UC. Let’s do something special. Let’s go Bearcats.”
Bandaogo played in 29 of UC’s 37 games, starting 26. He made his debut on Nov. 22 against Georgia Tech after being declared eligible as a multiple transfer. In his first three minutes off the bench, Bandaogo scored on an alley-oop and caused a Georgia Tech shot clock violation. He had eight points and nine rebounds in 21 minutes in UC’s decisive 89-54 victory over the ACC Yellowjackets.
The shot changer returns
Despite some back problems throughout the season, Bandaogo averaged 6.6 points per game and 7.4 rebounds on 64% shooting from the field. He recorded four double-doubles, changed many shots and blocked a team-high 48.
Bandaogo finished its first season of Power Four basketball with a Big 12 honorable mention.
Previously at Utah Valley University, he had scored 15 points with 12 rebounds against the Bearcats in the 2023 NIT quarterfinals and was the Western Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year. Bandaogo averaged 11.4 points and 10.5 rebounds for the Wolverines and made 106 blocks in each game (No. 3 in the NCAA).
His first two seasons in college basketball were with the Akron Zips and Bandaogo got his start in basketball with the NBA Academy Africa. He is from Dakar, Senegal.
UC Bearcat women’s team signs JUCO transfer
University of Cincinnati women’s basketball head coach Katrina Merriweather announced the signing of JUCO Alliance transfer Ndiba also on Tuesday.
The 6-foot-3 forward was a two-time NJCAA Division I women’s basketball All-American at Arizona Western College. Ndiba averaged a double-double with 14.0 points and 11.8 rebounds in 57 career games with the Lady Matadors.
“Alliance provides depth at our post position with his athleticism, size and rebounding ability,” Merriweather said. “We are excited to have her in the gym and continue her development from Arizona Western. She helps us on the court, but is also a quality young woman with a bright personality. She comes with a great work ethic and enthusiasm to be a part of our Brotherhood “
A Stat Filler
In 2023-24, Ndiba averaged 13.9 points and 12.4 rebounds on 46.4% shooting from the field. He blocked a team-best 56 shots and added 29 steals, earning him an NJCAA Honorable Mention All-American, as well as First Team All-ACCAC and First Team All-Region honors.
Ndiba scored more than 10 points in 23 games and had more than 20 points in five total games last season. That included 18 double-doubles (seven in a row).
As a freshman, he scored in double figures in all but one game and recorded 13 double-doubles. He averaged 16.0 points, 11.9 rebounds and 3.0 blocks per game. She was named a first-team NJCAA All-American and earned ACCAC Player of the Year and Freshman of the Year honors in 2021-22.
Originally from Lubumbashi, Congo, Ndiba joins Cincinnati’s incoming class that includes Texas A&M transfer Tineya Hylton (Toronto, Ontario) and freshman Chloe Mann (Fort Worth, Texas).
Keynote USA
For the Latest Sports News, Follow @Keynote USA Sports on Twitter.