Boubacar Coly has been a rock in the low post for the Morgan State men?s basketball team.
The 6-foot-9 junior forward, who has started all 25 games for the Bears (10-15, 8-6 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) this season, is averaging 7.6 points and a team-high 6.9 rebounds per game going into today?s game at the University of Maryland-Eastern Shore (3-23, 0-14).
This season is in stark contrast from previous ones for Coly, who had gained a reputation for being brittle after missing two seasons due to various knee injuries at Xavier. After dealing with injuries and earning his undergraduate degree in three years, Coly wanted a fresh start and came to Morgan State.
“I had never been injured before college, so I thought I would just come in and play well right away,” said Coly, who played for prep powerhouse Oak Hill Academy (Va.) in high school. “It was tough to deal with the injuries because I wasn?t sure what I was doing wrong.”
Initially, Coly wasn?t sure Morgan State was the school for him since the Bears were coming off a 4-26 season. But after talking with his high school coaches and Bears coach Todd Bozeman, he took a chance.
After not playing competitive basketball for nearly three years before the season began, practice was tough at first for Coly. Now healthy, he feels great physically and is ready to help the team make a push toward winning next month?s MEAC tournament at the RBC Center in Raleigh, N.C.
“It was tough when I first started playing again because I wasn?t in shape,” Coly said. “But now I?m feeling great, and my legs are really strong at this point of the season.”
With no more offseason rehabbing ahead of him, Coly said he can spend at least part of his summer in his native Senegal to visit family he hasn?t seen in almost four years.
“Everything happens for a reason,” Coly said. “I?ve worked hard to get back into shape, and I feel like I have confidence back in my game.”
BEAR CLAWS
» Coly had a double-double in his first game at Morgan State ? 20 points and 14 rebounds Nov. 11 against East Carolina.
» Coly is third in the MEAC in rebounds (6.9) and fourth in blocks (1.0) per game.
» Morgan State plays at 4 p.m. Saturday at the University of Maryland-Eastern Shore. On Monday, the Bears then play their home finale at 7 p.m. against Howard.
