Orlando Magic Rookie Mo Bamba showcases his talent on the NBA hardwood
By James P. Hill
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ORLANDO - Magic Rookie Mohamed Bamba is showing fans, NBA Brass, and basketball players across America why he was selected 6th pick overall in the 2018 NBA Draft. He’s a 20 year old humble giant towering 7 feet tall with his very unique 7 feet 10 inch wingspan.
“It really changes the game. It changes the geometry of the game,” Bamba said. “People have to second guess about where I am on the court simply because I can get a hand almost anywhere.”
Mohamed Bamba’s hands are defiantly making a difference for the Orlando magic. In 47 games Mo Bamba averaged 16.3 minutes, 6.2 points per game, 5.0 rebounds, 0.3 steals, and he lead the team in blocked shots with 1.4 per contest before injury.
“It’s very tough, you get the match ups against the guys who are just unicorns and guys who you just never seen before,” Bamba said with a smile. “Guys are really talented especially in this day and age with the game evolving.”
In his first NBA Game Mohamed Bamba had 13 points and 7 rebounds to help Orlando Magic come back from 14 down to defeat Miami Heat 104-101 at Amway center. His teammates are noticing Mo Bamba’s competitive spirit, skill sets, and work ethic!
“He had a stretch in the third quarter he was just dominating, blocking shots, getting tip dunks, it was a big key moment for us momentum switches and since then we didn’t give up the lead,” Evan Fournier said describing his rookie teammate. “I mean the kid is good he’s very smart you can tell he’s driven!”
Terrence Ross is a guard-forward averaging 13.4 points per game with the Magic. Ross is an NBA 6 season veteran and former NBA Slam Dunk Champion who understands what it takes to make it at the highest level of pro basketball. Ross shares his take on playing with Bamba the shot blocking rookie center.
“Mo is a really smart guy and he understands the game,” Ross said. “I talk to him a lot and he’s very receptive of everything were saying. He’s defiantly one of those guys that you want to be around especially in those crunch times because he’s going to give it everything he has.”
Bamba’s parents were born in the Ivory Coast in Africa. They moved to America settling in New York City. Mo Bomba was born in Harlem in 1998. Bamba played one season at the University of Texas before entering the NBA Draft. Mo Bamba has an upside of great potential to become an NBA All-Star and help build a winning Orlando Magic basketball team.
“Orlando is going to always forever be special to me because this is the place that believed in me. This is the place that put in the envelope my name who drafted me so I’m just looking forward to give back in any way,” Mo Bamba said. “What big way to give back is by showing my appreciation and just getting out there and just winning.”
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