High Offers For Narmbaye

Mbainai Narmbaye (Buy-nye Narm-bye), a skilled 6-9, 235 pound power forward/center from Life Center Academy in Burlington, N.J., has several high major Division I scholarship offers on the table this summer.

Narmbaye, who goes by the nickname "Roman," came to the United States from the African nation of Chad within the past year.

A well constructed big man with a solid upper body, Narmbaye is a mobile lefty with the ability to step out and face the basket from the perimeter. There are some games where his focus wanes, but based on his skills, potential and upside, Narmbaye could be considered one of the top big men in the Class of 2003.

Darryl Gladden, Narmbaye's coach at Life Center, told Rivalshoops that Narmbaye typically plays his best when he has the chance to play against other big men. That was no more evident than at last month's Best of the Summer Tournament, when Narmbaye pumped in 21 points in a great effort in Youth Interlock's elimination loss to the Arizona Stars.

The Stars featured a pair of big forwards/centers in 6-9 Vince Scott and 6-8 Logan Wolf.

Gladden said that Narmbaye has been offered scholarships by LaSalle, UMass, St. Joe's, Rutgers, Colorado and Seton Hall. Houston has called to express some interest since the end of the July evaluation period, and Virginia is also looking.

St. Joe's is slated to do an in-home visit with Narmbaye on Sept. 9th. Other schools on the list are also expected to visit with big Roman during the September evaluation period.

Gladden said that Narmbaye could sign in the fall, but that nothing was etched in stone at this point.

Last season at LCA, Narmbaye averaged 10 points, seven rebounds and three blocks per game. He will take the SAT for the first time this fall, and you can be sure that we will keep you posted on Roman in the weeks and months to follow.

This past summer, Narmbaye played with Youth Interlock at both the adidas Big Time and Best of the Summer Tournaments out on the west coast.