Seven-foot center at Holiday Classic

One of the most intriguing players at this year’s event is 7-foot-1 center Cheikh N’diaye of Army-Navy Academy (Carlsbad, Calif.).

The Senegal native has lived in the United States for approximately three years and when he came to California to attend the all-boys boarding school, he didn’t speak any English.

He’s been a quick learner — both on and off the court. The military discipline instilled in all students at the school plays a big role in N’diaye’s accelerated learning curve, even though only five percent of them actually enroll in the military, according to school president Steve Bliss.

In the season opener against El Camino (Oceanside, Calif.), N’diaye showed off some of the discipline he’s learned by taking a charge. Unfortunately, he sustained a concussion and has not played since, including Army-Navy’s 76-53 loss to regionally-ranked Lincoln (San Diego, Calif.) on Monday in a “play-in” game with a spot in the tournament’s National Division on the line.

N’diaye hopes he’s able to suit up by the second day of the tournament.

“I am going to see a doctor on Wednesday morning… if he clears me I’ll play that afternoon,” N’diaye said. “I feel good, but it’s really up to him.”

From the tone of his voice you can tell N’diaye is itching to play, but the time off has also given the seven-footer a new perspective watching from the bench.

“I notice that we can play more together. I provide defense and shot-blocking, so when I’m not playing, they got to go hard.”

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