Oklahoma State Lands Memphis Transfer Moussa Cisse
Mike Boynton and Co. have officially filled the roster heading into the 2021 season. Memphis transfer, and AAC Freshman of the Year, Moussa Cisse, just announced on Twitter and ESPN he’s committed to Oklahoma State.
Cisse chose the Pokes over Cincinnati, Creighton, Florida State, Georgia and return trip to Memphis.
“I see what they did with Cade Cunningham,” Cisse said on ESPN. “I had to decide whether to go to the NBA or college. I watched a lot of film and saw the way they developed players. That was attractive to me. Coach Mike Boynton has been talking to me for a while now, trying hard. I can tell that he really likes me, and he can give be a chance to develop my game and take it to the next level.”
This is the third 2020 five-star Boynton and Co. have landed in the past two seasons, joining Cade Cunningham and Kansas transfer Bryce Thompson.
Cisse is a 6-11, 220-pound center out of Conakry, Guinea in West Africa. He was the AAC Freshman of the Year this past season after averaged 6.6 points and 6.3 rebounds a game. He also blocked 46 shots on the season and was just shy of becoming just the fifth Memphis player since 1992-93 to average at least 7.0 points and 7.0 rebounds a game.
He ranked seventh in the AAC in rebounding, was second in the conference in blocked shots per game at 1.6 and recorded four double-doubles on the year with six games with 10 or more rebounds.
He declared for the NBA Draft back on April 6 while maintaining his eligibility, which ultimately paid off as he announced on July 2 he would be returning to school. He did, however, enter the transfer portal shortly after he entered his name into Draft.
"That was a really good experience of me," Cisse told ESPN. "It was surprising to see how much the NBA were encouraging me. People can see how my game has changed. They see the future in me and say they really like me. They want to see more from me, and that's why I need to improve my game.
"I've been watching a lot of the NBA game, studying players like Clint Capela, Joel Embiid, Pascal Siakam and Giannis -- big athletic guys that run the floor, catch lobs and play with skill."
Cisse is the fourth transfer landed by Boynton and Co., as he joins Kansas transfer, and fellow 2020 five-star Bryce Thompson, Texas Tech transfer Tyreek Smith and Syracuse transfer Woody Newton.
"Our goal is to win the Big 12 conference tournament and the national championship," Cisse told ESPN. "Last year I didn't get to go to the NCAA tournament. That's a big goal of mine. I see all the pieces they've got coming back at Oklahoma State. We're going to be really good.
"The coaching staff told me I'm going to keep doing what I do well, but I'm going to be able to get more touches and show I can face up in the post. Coach knows I can shoot a little from midrange. I just need to keep working, develop and help my team win games."