Oumar Ballo is headed to Indiana to play for Mike Woodson. What you should know.
The Indiana men's basketball team has landed Oumar Ballo from Arizona.
Ballo is a center who can rebound (10.2 boards a game in 2023-24) and convert his field goal attempts (64.7% in three seasons with Arizona).
Here is what you should know about Ballo, who has one year of eligibility left.
Insider: What landing nation's No. 1 transfer Oumar Ballo means for IU, Mike Woodson
Oumar Ballo's size
Ballo is listed at 7-0, 260 pounds.
Oumar Ballo hails from Mali
Ballo grew up in the Republic of Mali, a country in West Africa. In 2019, Ballo was named one of the top international prospects by NBA draft analyst Jonathan Givony. At the 2019 FIBA U19 World Cup, Ballo led Mali to a second-place finish (its best result ever).
Hot board: IU basketball transfer portal hot board. Priority positions, names to know.
Oumar Ballo's stats with Arizona and Gonzaga
In three seasons at Arizona, Ballo averaged 11.3 points per game, 7.7 rebounds and 1.3 blocks. Ballo had his best season in 2023-24 when he put up 13.1 points and 10.2 rebounds per contest. As a redshirt freshman at Gonzaga in 2020-21, Ballo averaged 2.5 points, 1.5 rebounds and shot 62.9% from the floor.
Oumar Ballo's awards at Arizona
Ballo was First Team All-Pac 12 in his last two seasons with the Wildcats. He received Pac-12 All-Defensive Team honors as a redshirt senior and was Pac-12 All-Defensive Team as a redshirt junior. Also in 2022-23, Ballo was named the conference's Most Improved Player of the Year. For his redshirt sophomore campaign, Ballo was the Pac-12 Sixth Man of the Year.
Oumar Ballo's highlights with Arizona
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indiana basketball gets transfer Oumar Ballo from Arizona
