Issa Thiam

ScarletLongIsland_rivals

All-Conference
Sep 1, 2015
2,258
3,033
66
Looks like we may be interested in Issa Thiam, 6-9 forward from Canarias for 2016 according to 247Sports. Anyone have info on an upcoming visit, etc.?
 
Last edited:

higgins3

All-Conference
Dec 15, 2012
7,319
2,434
113
Shoes likes to canaries. Also, Shaquille Doorson has the connection there. Big plus.
 

RUMBA-JK

All-Conference
Jun 13, 2014
2,717
1,606
0
class of 2016? so right now he should be about 17 /18 years old ... ? sounds good

Just don't want another guy (like Etou) who you think can grow into something truly phenomenal ... but then it turns out he is older than claimed & already 'full grown'
 

higgins3

All-Conference
Dec 15, 2012
7,319
2,434
113
In 4 games in 2014-15, he averaged 28.6 from 3, 5.5 rebounds on a 21.4 mpg clip.

I know Shoes keeps in contacts with these coaches in the Canaris. Just saw a video of him. At 6 8, he is probably about 175-185 pound. Definitely needs weight. He should be around 215-220, at least. Seems to have a decent handle for his size, keeps it close.

Good man defense for his size. Knows how to keep sight of ball and man on help defense. In general, he gets to the right position on the floor for rebounds. Size is definitely his issue. For a guy 6 8 though, his defense is impressive.He seems to run the floor well. At this game I saw him in, he was 16 or 17. The competition was pretty decent. Lots of tall kids with some speed.

A part of me thinks that we keep in touch with this player, but still have an option we are scoping before him(providence day). Thiam would be a slight project who would definitely need a livingston dining hall 4 credit course. After that, I like his focus on defense and willingness to get to spots and run the floor. Height is there.
 

higgins3

All-Conference
Dec 15, 2012
7,319
2,434
113
Height and a seemingly decent IQ on where the ball comes off the hoop on defensive side/positioning.
 

PhilaPhans

All-Conference
Apr 23, 2005
11,665
4,334
0
The one thing this team has been sorely missing over the past decade or so is a 6'9 wing (an athletic 3&D).
 

higgins3

All-Conference
Dec 15, 2012
7,319
2,434
113
The one thing this team has been sorely missing over the past decade or so is a 6'9 wing (an athletic 3&D).
20-30 pounds and he is that guy. Can run well, plays solid defense. Almost reminds me of a more raw form of Bashir Ahmed.

Still, have no idea if we are still expressing interest.
 

Local Shill

All-American
Aug 30, 2001
21,496
7,302
113
class of 2016? so right now he should be about 17 /18 years old ... ? sounds good

Just don't want another guy (like Etou) who you think can grow into something truly phenomenal ... but then it turns out he is older than claimed & already 'full grown'
His DOB listed as 10-3-96... So already 19.
 

RUMBA-JK

All-Conference
Jun 13, 2014
2,717
1,606
0
His DOB listed as 10-3-96... So already 19.

OK - so back on Sep 4, 2015 when the original question was posed, he was listed as 18 - and has now just turned 19 .. that would make him about the same as a kid who did a post-grad prep school year - which should be fine...
 

ecojew

All-Conference
Feb 1, 2006
9,767
2,271
0
I just googled the Canarias Basketball Academy (CBA) and found out a little bit about it. It appears to provide the equivalent of what we call a prep year but without the academic component. It is based on the island of Gran Canarias, one of the two major islands of the Canarias archipelago, Tenerife being the other. The archipelago is part of Spain, despite its location off the coast of Morocco.

Its founder's goals include among other things preparing players (mostly European but a mix of others as well) to play Division 1 basketball in the USA, and several of its graduates have gone on to fulfill that goal. So it would seem that players coming out of that program would pass the mustard in terms of NCAA eligibility, so long as their academics are in place.

Aside from basketball, the players learn a lot about nutrition, which sounds like a good thing based upon what others have stated above about how thin Thiam is at this point.
 

Halldan

All-American
Staff member
Jan 1, 2003
183,772
5,563
113
Rutgers is the strong favorite. Good kid. Plays the SF but also could play the 2. I have more details on our pay site about him.

One of the best players at CBA.

He'll be coming to the States in November to scrimmage teams in NJ/NY before playing a tournament in Conn.
 

SirScarlet

Heisman
Jun 27, 2001
27,250
44,315
113
Rutgers is the strong favorite. Good kid. Plays the SF but also could play the 2. I have more details on our pay site about him.

One of the best players at CBA.

He'll be coming to the States in November to scrimmage teams in NJ/NY before playing a tournament in Conn.

OK - 88K+ posts and no likes? I had to fix that for you. Just remember I was your first ;)

Joking aside, thanks for the update.
 
  • Like
Reactions: rufamily

hinson32

All-American
Jul 29, 2005
7,749
5,909
57
For those who don't know, Halldan is the moderator and guru of the Seton Hall site. Of course he has a Pirate bias, but he is a good guy and often posts RU nuggets on his site.
 

Halldan

All-American
Staff member
Jan 1, 2003
183,772
5,563
113
CBA and Thiam (6-9 190 lbs wing) will be in the US next week for a tournament in Conn. They will be playing multiple exhibition games beforehand in NY/NJ.

Below might be of interest.

Wednesday Nov 18


2 games @ St Benedict's
Newark NJ

They will also be in attendance for

Thursday Nov 19


St John's vs Rutgers
 
  • Like
Reactions: Greene Rice FIG

ecojew

All-Conference
Feb 1, 2006
9,767
2,271
0
So he will be in the area during the early signing period. I wonder if he is even aware of that and whether or not EJ has geared up to get him signed, sealed, and delivered before he returns to Las Canarias.
 

NBKnight

Heisman
Jul 8, 2008
24,650
15,562
61
So he will be in the area during the early signing period. I wonder if he is even aware of that and whether or not EJ has geared up to get him signed, sealed, and delivered before he returns to Las Canarias.

I am sure that he is aware of the signing period.
 

PiscatawayMike

Heisman
Jul 27, 2001
17,332
15,174
113
So he will be in the area during the early signing period. I wonder if he is even aware of that and whether or not EJ has geared up to get him signed, sealed, and delivered before he returns to Las Canarias.
He knows. Oh yeah, he definitely knows.

 
  • Like
Reactions: okieKnight908

Halldan

All-American
Staff member
Jan 1, 2003
183,772
5,563
113
Might hold off on signing early as he is starting to get more high major interest.

He and his teammates were at a RU practice the other day.

Want to see him go to St Benedict's around 6PM on Wed.
 

Halldan

All-American
Staff member
Jan 1, 2003
183,772
5,563
113
Did not sign early as his CBA coach doesn't like to have players sign until the spring.

RU is still the strong favorite. Thiam has been CBA's best player to date on their US trip which includes two games up in Conn against quality opponents. The first starting in about 3 hours.
 

higgins3

All-Conference
Dec 15, 2012
7,319
2,434
113
Did not sign early as his CBA coach doesn't like to have players sign until the spring.

RU is still the strong favorite. Thiam has been CBA's best player to date on their US trip which includes two games up in Conn against quality opponents. The first starting in about 3 hours.

If you could keep us posted thatd be great.Thanks for your info.
 

Halldan

All-American
Staff member
Jan 1, 2003
183,772
5,563
113
BTW Thiam and his teammates were at last nights game.
 

RUJMM78

Heisman
Jul 25, 2001
26,195
12,455
113
I would think attracting recruits for the November 2015 signing period is critical because the season results could turn off recruits in the spring.
 

ScarletLongIsland_rivals

All-Conference
Sep 1, 2015
2,258
3,033
66
Jeff Borzello tweeted this re Thiam:

"Senegal native Issa Thiam has looked good in both games this weekend. Smooth offensively, very good outside shooter, long. 2016."
 

MadRU

Heisman
Jul 26, 2001
38,164
19,492
98
We could really use him, hopefully the staff can close the deal in the spring.
 

Halldan

All-American
Staff member
Jan 1, 2003
183,772
5,563
113
Thiam and CBA won both of their games this week in Conn. Thiam was probably the team's best player.

He's leaning to RU over St John's and should make a commitment well before the spring signing period.

Lean athletic shooter who must work on his handle. Right now he's a 3 who wants to some day play the 2.

Not a game changer but he will be a good get if he commits to Rutgers.
 
  • Like
Reactions: runrayrun

rufeelinit

All-Conference
May 16, 2010
12,647
4,351
0
Even if we get a verbal its a long time until the spring signing period. If he continues to play well he will have more suitors. Gotta work him hard until the paperwork is signed.
 

higgins3

All-Conference
Dec 15, 2012
7,319
2,434
113
Thiam and CBA won both of their games this week in Conn. Thiam was probably the team's best player.

He's leaning to RU over St John's and should make a commitment well before the spring signing period.

Lean athletic shooter who must work on his handle. Right now he's a 3 who wants to some day play the 2.

Not a game changer but he will be a good get if he commits to Rutgers.

Seems like he should commit to the 3. At 6 8, when he adds pounds it will be tough to defend the two.