Bamba Fall - Representing

SMU Hoopster, Bamba Fall, Back From 2007 African Championships

DALLAS – SMU’s seven-foot, two-inch Bamba Fall has just returned from the experience of a lifetime: representing his native country, Senegal, on its national basketball team in the 24th African Championships.

“I think it was good for me because you got to play with different players - pros and college,” Fall said.

The event took place August 15-25 in Luanda, Angola and featured 16 African national teams. Held every two years, the competition is hugely popular, followed closely across the continent. This year, Angola claimed its ninth title and an automatic bid to the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China.

Senegal, a five-time winner, finished ninth with a 4-2 record.

SMU head coach Matt Doherty sees a big up side from Fall’s international experience.

“I think that it will give him a lot of confidence,” Doherty said “He earned the spot on the team with his play in the [Global Games] and the practices that they had. The fact that that was recognized will give him some confidence.”

“I think it’s a fantastic experience,” said Herman Hudson, SMU’s Assistant Director of Athletic Public Relations. “I can’t imagine what it would be like to be chosen to represent your country.”

Youngest On Team

Fall was selected for the squad in late July after competing for Senegal in the aforementioned Global Games at SMU’s Moody Coliseum. The team traveled to Italy for further preparation against international competition from Australia, Serbia and Austria before heading to Angola.

Fall, 21, was the youngest player on the team which consisted mostly of international professionals. The only other college player on the team was Mouhammad Faye of Georgia Tech.

Two NBA players were on the roster: Pape Sow of the Toronto Raptors and Dallas Maverick DeSagana Diop, though Diop did not compete due to visa problems.

Bamba Fall, 21, is a junior this fall at SMU. He led Conference USA in blocked shots during the 2006-07 season with 2.48 per game. Photo: SMU Athletics

Fall said he got to practice four times with the seven-foot Diop.

“It was different,” Fall said. “You don’t get to play with players like him often.”

Though surrounded by other giants in Angola, Fall was evidently not intimidated, saying with a grin, he felt like the only seven-footer on the floor.

After defeating Mali in the opening round, Senegal lost two straight heartbreakers, 65-63, to Ivory Coast and, 66-63, to Egypt.

“We just didn’t play well,” Fall said, adding Senegal missed last second shots in both games. Though out of medal contention, Senegal swept its next three games against South Africa, Rwanda and Morocco.

Hudson said individual statistics have been difficult to obtain, but that Fall played about 12-15 minutes per game.

Said Doherty, “In the reports I got … he played pretty well for them.”

Fall’s parents and two younger brothers still live in St. Louis, Senegal, north of the capital, Dakar. While they didn’t travel to Angola, Fall said they were very proud to watch him on television.

Fall did get to visit his family in St. Louis for a couple of days while on the continent. “It was good,” he said.

Having never been to Europe, Fall said he enjoyed his time in Italy, though there was no time for sightseeing. “It was cool,” he said, adding they ate lots of pasta.

Back On The Hilltop

“I think I learned a lot,” Fall said. “Hopefully, it will carry to this season [at SMU.]”

The Mustangs’ upcoming basketball team is loaded with freshman – seven, to be exact – and Fall’s experience should be invaluable. “I’m really excited about it,” he said.

Last season, Fall made Conference USA’s all-defensive team, leading the league in blocked shots with 2.48 per game. He also averaged 7 points and 4.7 rebounds per contest, and shot 54.4% from the field.

Bamba said his defense should be improved after mixing it up with the “rougher” pros. He added, his teammates have had plenty of questions since his return.

Doherty’s expectations for Fall this season include an increased scoring role. “I’m always looking for defense, his ability to block shots,” Doherty said. “But I think now I’m gonna look a little bit more for offense out of him. He’s really, really worked hard on his jump shot and his jump hook. So, I think he’ll be a capable shooter to about 15 to 18 feet.”

The Mustangs’ first day of practice is October 12 and the season opener is November 10 at home versus Southern.

What were Doherty’s instructions to Fall before he left for Africa? “He told me to do my best and just keep learning,” Fall said.

Sounds like mission accomplished.