NCAA suspends Mbao for first two games of 2009-10 season

November 1, 4:42 PMMarquette Golden Eagles ExaminerBrian Neuberger

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7’2” freshman center Youssoupha Mbao signed his national letter of intent to play for the Golden Eagles over six months ago. Since that day in April, however, the microscope of the NCAA has been on the Dakar, Senegal native on a regular basis regarding his eligibility.

That issue came to a resolution Friday resulting from the NCAA’s decision to suspend the 19-year-old for MU’s first two games of the 2009-10 season (Nov. 13 against Centenary and Nov. 17 against Maryland-Eastern Shore). Mbao will be eligible to return to the Golden Eagles lineup Nov. 21 against Grambling.

Mbao, who is fluent in four languages, prior to coming to Milwaukee, played for a team overseas (Dunas Hotels Gran Canaria) that featured a professional player on its roster—a violation in NCAA amateurism rules.

“The NCAA came here and interviewed Yous, just like every other international student,” said head coach Buzz Williams, according to jsonline.com. “How he got to the United States was legitimate. How he got [to Marquette] is legitimate. I think what they’re doing is because of all the changes in the policies regarding international kids, they’re just trying to do their due diligence…Yous has handled everything in a mature way. He’s done a great job.”

Mbao, who averaged 13.4 points, 11.2 rebounds and 6.0 blocks per game last year for Stoneridge Prep (Calif.) and was the 125th-rated player in the Class of 2009 by HoopScoopOnline.com, will be able to participate in MU’s exhibition game against MSOE on Nov. 7.

“He’s got a long way to go,” said Williams of Mbao, as reported by jsonlie.com, “but every minute that he can play is really important.”