Schools Calling on French Guard

It‘s been almost five months since Paris, France native Jean Baptiste Bah came to the United States to play basketball. Now that his senior season is over for the 6-foot-1, 175 pound point guard from Central Park Christian in Birmingham, Alabama, a handful of schools are trying to get him to their campuses.

RivalsHoops had a chance to see Bah in action this weekend at the NACA national tournament. We were impressed with his ability to control the game and make sound decisions with the ball. Bah averaged 20 points, eight assist and five steals this season for a very solid Central Park (26-3) team.

“I’m a leader and I can score. Those are two of my strong qualities but I really like to pass,” Bah said.. This year my team needed me to be a scorer but I’m a true point guard.”

Bah said he gained valuable experience from Derrick Phelps and Donald Williams (both formerly of North Carolina) when he lived in France. The trio played on the same club team.

“They taught me to really control the game and maintain my presence in the game. They really know how to penetrate and score or penetrate and pass it out. I really learned a lot from them.”

Since his arrival to the United States in the fall of 2003, Bah has seen a short list develop when talking about his future at in college.

“Right now I’d have to say that Rhode Island, Eastern Carolina and USC are showing the most interest,” Bah said. “Baylor has just started calling my coach and asking a lot about me, too.”

The 18-year-old gave his thoughts on the three schools he is favoring right now.

On Rhode Island: “I knew the coach (Jim Barron) before I came to here and they are in a good conference.”

On Eastern Carolina: “I know the (assistant) coach (Greg Herenda) here from France, too. Plus they have a French dude that I know. That helps. It would be nice to have a guy that I know from France on the team.”

On Southern Cal: “It’s a good school in a big conference. Plus Coach (Henry) Bibby is a good teacher and he could teach me a lot about the next level.”

“There are no favorites out of those three schools. I’ll probably make a decision (on a college or a prep year) in April. But for now, I’m just going to keep working on my shot and my strength. You can’t stop getting better.”

A prep year is a strong possibility, he said.

“Staying for prep school would help me get into the camps this summer and allow me to play in the ABCD camp or the Nike camp so people can recognize me. That is making me think,” Bah said. “Plus it gives me another year for Coach Parker and give him a championship. He’s been good to me, I need to be good to him.

“I’m looking for the kind of opportunity to play on a team that pushes the ball and a coach that can teach me to play the game better. It doesn’t have to have a famous name or anything I just want to play and learn at the same time.”

Stay tuned to RivalsHoops for more updates on players like Bah and other international players in the United States.