Montana State Welcomes New Recruit Waka Mbatch to Men’s Basketball Team
BOZEMAN — In an exciting development for the Montana State men’s basketball program, head coach Matt Logie announced Saturday that 6-foot-10 forward Waka Mbatch has signed with the Bobcats. A native of Serekunda, Gambia, Mbatch transfers from Florida State, where he contributed as a bench player for two seasons.
Logie expressed enthusiasm about Mbatch’s potential, stating, "Waka has his best basketball in front of him. He will provide much-needed size, athleticism, and energy to our frontcourt." Mbatch, who weighs 225 pounds, is expected to enhance the team’s depth alongside existing players, including 6-foot-9 Wisconsin transfer Chris Hodges and 6-foot-8 Colorado State transfer Jaden Steppe.
During his brief stint at Florida State, Mbatch appeared in seven games, scoring two points and grabbing a rebound in a noteworthy performance against UMass. Before joining the Seminoles, he showcased his skills at Hope Basketball Academy, where he averaged 10.0 points and 10.0 rebounds per game and earned defensive player of the year honors while leading his team to a championship in Gambia.
Mbatch’s journey to basketball is unique; he spent his early years as an all-star soccer midfielder before a five-inch growth spurt at age 14 shifted his focus to basketball. His impressive background also includes fluency in five languages, which he is anticipated to contribute to the Bobcat community.
Mbatch’s signing marks the sixth addition for Montana State from the transfer portal, complementing the returning roster and bolstering their chances for a successful upcoming season. As the program gears up for the future, the addition of talent like Mbatch is a promising step forward for the Bobcats.
Note: The image is for illustrative purposes only and is not the original image associated with the presented article. Due to copyright reasons, we are unable to use the original images. However, you can still enjoy the accurate and up-to-date content and information provided.
