NCAA Basketball: Star JUCO big Souleymane Doumbia choosing from 8 teams

Seton Hall Pirates

Big East Player of the Year Myles Powell was the headliner for the Pirates this past season but it was the stellar play inside by Conference Defensive Player of the Year Romaro Gill that propelled the team to major success. The 7’2 center was a former JUCO player himself and the development curtesy of head coach Kevin Willard clearly got the attention of Doumbia.

With Sandro Mamukelashvili leaving after next year and Ike Obiagu mainly a rotation player, there’s a big need for an impact frontcourt player for Seton Hall in the next recruiting class. The team is already in solid shape on the perimeter with commits Tyler Powel and Ryan Conway but needs to add a big man to shore it all up. Doumbia would be the cherry on top for the Pirates and can have an even bigger impact than Gill did, especially on the offensive end.

TCU Horned Frogs

Head coach Jamie Dixon is looking to try again on the JUCO circuit after it not working out between the Horned Frogs and Yuat Alok a couple of years ago. There’s a big need for a frontcourt addition who is able to compete at a high level just in case starting center Kevin Samuel decides to go pro after next season. Russell Barlow also transferred out, leaving depth as a concern as well.

Incoming freshmen Eddie Lampkin and Terren Frank will have a big opportunity this upcoming season and their production, along with Samuel’s potential return, will determine how viable an option this will be for Doumbia compared to the others.

When the 2021 JUCO rankings eventually come out, Souleymane Doumbia will be ranked as one of the top frontcourt players, hence why power conference programs have already been offering. But which one will ultimately land his signature?

Without official visits available, a program’s history with JUCOs and development, along with location could be pivotal. Of the eight, Houston, Mississippi State, and Seton Hall have the most promise to offer this talented big man prospect.