Inside Recruiting: Westtown's Bamba wows his suitors

Mohamed Bamba billowed like smoke high above the rim moments before ripping a two-handed dunk through the net at Tuesday's open gym at Westtown School.

Expressionless, George Washington University head coach Mike Lonergan, seated atop the sideline bleachers, turned toward his assistant coaches to see if they had witnessed the feat.

Both, however, were preoccupied with their cell phones. Perhaps they already knew the capabilities of the 6-foot-11, five-star recruit with the reported 7-foot-8 wingspan.

But it was likely the junior's versatility, which preceded the dunk, that caught Lonergan's eye.

A behind-the-back dribble by Bamba froze a 6-foot-2 defender as Bamba, one of the most sought-after big men in the nation, initiated a screen and roll like a guard and then exploded to the basket.

That size and athleticism, along with shooting ability, ballhandling skills and New York City toughness, is why the native of Harlem is rated by ESPN as the top player in the state and No. 8 in the nation.

"Mo really is a New York City guard in the body of a 6-foot-11, 7-foot-8 wingspan, 17-year-old," said Westtown head coach Seth Berger. "He can dribble the ball, he can shoot the ball and he has the mind of the point guard in terms of knowing what should happen. So, there's no position he can't play on the floor."

The versatility Bamba showed throughout last summer with the PSA Cardinals AAU program helped bring a recent cavalcade of college coaches to Westtown's West Chester campus.

Villanova's Jay Wright was among those in attendance at a Sept. 18 open gym along with Jim Boeheim (Syracuse) and Chris Mullin (St. John's). North Carolina, the University of Virginia and Kentucky, among others, were also represented.

"It's been great," Bamba said of the attention. "It's something that I'm not really surprised about, because I know I've put myself in position. I've worked for it. I've worked for it in the gym, in the lab. I've put in crazy hours in the gym on stuff I use in games."

His uncanny versatility, however, didn't come naturally.

"It's something that was actually hidden for a while," Bamba said. "I would go out on the courts, and no one wants to play with a traditional big man, playing pick-up. It's just not as fun. So I had to go out and handle the ball. The more I did it, the more comfortable I got with it, and after a while that was it."

At just 201 pounds, however, Bamba still realizes he has room for horizontal growth.

"[I want to] add more weight and put on more strength because [in college] I'll be down there banging against guys who are bigger than me," he said. "Right now, I'm using my length . . . but after a while guys will be as long as me, and I'll have to be stronger."

Growing up, Bamba - who was about 6-foot-4 in seventh grade - honed his skills on courts he called "The Kingdom" at 112th Street and Lenox Avenue in New York.

Now, he's being courted by nearly every major college program in the country.

And if you're a voracious Villanova fan, take note of Bamba's junior teammate, Anthony Ochefu, younger brother of 'Nova senior Daniel Ochefu.

Just don't get too ahead of yourself. Bamba, who referred to the recruiting process as "organized chaos," is content to take his time and weigh his options.

"Just focusing on the 2015-16 season," he said. "That's my motto as far as colleges. I'm focusing more on this season."

cartera@phillynews.com

@AceCarterINQ

D'Andre Vilmar, Roman Catholic, junior guard. Interest: Colorado State, Long Island University (Brooklyn), Hofstra.

Paul Newman, Roman Catholic, senior forward. Interest: Binghamton, Brown, Hampton, Delaware State, Wagner.

Jaquan Arrington, Imhotep Charter, junior guard. Offers: Binghamton, Hampton.

Daron Russell, Imhotep Charter, junior guard. Offers: Virginia Commonwealth, La Salle, Temple, Binghamton, Seton Hall.

Koby Thomas, Imhotep Charter, junior guard. Interest: La Salle, Saint Francis, Coppin State, James Madison, Binghamton.

Ryan Quigley, Lansdale Catholic, senior running back/defensive back. Interest: Temple, Villanova, Delaware, Bryant, Colgate, Princeton, Penn, Bucknell.

Charly Timite, Simon Gratz, senior offensive/defensive lineman. Offers: Massachusetts, Maine and Towson.

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