St. Benedict’s Prep Big Man Bourama Sidibe Planning Three Visits

NEWARK — Bourama Sidibe has only been in the United States for two and a half years since leaving his native Mali.

But at 6-foot-10 and 215-pounds, he is adjusting to life at one of the top prep basketball powers in America. St. Benedict’s Prep is the same school that produced NBA players J.R. Smith and Tyler Ennis, and also features current Kentucky guard Isaiah Briscoe.

In one recent scrimmage, Sidibe went for 14 points, 17 rebounds and 10 blocks.

“Bourama is a special player,” Gray Bees coach Mark Taylor said Monday. “He is super long and athletic for a big man with tremendous instincts and timing. He is a game-changer and a difference maker. He’s the best big man I have coached and that includes [former NBA lottery pick] Andrew Bynum. Bourama has a much bigger upside.”

Said junior guard Matt Cotton: “He’s a great player. I can get it to him anytime. He’s very agile in the post, aggressive, great defender.”