Gonzaga Basketball: Breaking down the 2019 recruiting class

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - MARCH 23: Head coach Mark Few of the Gonzaga Bulldogs looks on during their game against the Baylor Bears in the Second Round of the NCAA Basketball Tournament at Vivint Smart Home Arena on March 23, 2019 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

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SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH – MARCH 21: Coach Few of the Bulldogs watches. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

Oumar Ballo – Mali

C | 6-foot-10 | 245 lbs | No. 75 overall

Out of the NBA Academy Latin America, Oumar Ballo is an intriguing player. Ranked as a top-75 player in the class, Ballo is a physically imposing player at 6-foot-10 and 245 pounds. He is nearly impossible to move in the paint and projects as a superb rebounder at the college level. Ballo uses his size quite well to carve out space and finish around the rim. Although typically confined to the paint offensively, he does an excellent job in these situations. When guards drive the lane, he positions himself well and keeps his hands ready to score easy buckets.

On the defensive end of the floor, he uses his size and length to alter shots. He can block shots with some consistency and can be an interior anchor. With that said, he struggles to defend on the perimeter and that can hurt him in mismatch situations. Regardless, he should be able to “bully” opponents in the paint en route to double-double performances at some point in his collegiate career. While playing for Mali at the FIBA U19 World Cup this year, he is averaging 18.3 points, 13.0 rebounds, and 4.0 blocks per game in five contests.

Even though Ballo is a highly-rated recruit, he will likely be stuck behind some other pieces in the Gonzaga frontcourt this season. Killian Tillie and Filip Petrusev look poised to take up starting spots as returners while two other incoming recruits may also be in front of Ballo on the depth chart. Considering this, Ballo could be another redshirt candidate. No matter what, the future is bright for this big man.

I love Ballo as a prospect and, if he doesn’t end up redshirting, he could be a highly-impactful reserve big man with his energy and rebounding. He looks ready.