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2009-10: While Djibril Thiam has only played 22 career games in a Wyoming uniform, he will be looked to as a veteran leader in 2009-10. As a junior this season, Thiam is one of only three upper classmen on UW's roster, along with senior Ryan Dermody and junior Rob Watsabaugh. However, that leadership role sits just fine with Thiam. He is an extremely athletic forward who can fill up a stat sheet in numerous ways. He is a versatile player, as he can play inside or outside, can shoot the basketball and can also play on the post. 2008-09: After sitting out during the 2008 fall semester due to NCAA transfer rules, Thiam made a major impact for the Cowboys during UW's final 26 games. On the season, he averaged 5.1 rebounds per game, which was the 13th best rebounding average in the MWC. He also ranked fourth in the MWC in blocked shots, blocking 25 shots for an average of 0.96 per game. He averaged 5.2 points a game, including three double-figure scoring games. He scored a career high 12 points in UW's home loss to New Mexico on March 7. He then scored 10 against the Lobos, all in the second half, in UW's MWC Tournament Quarterfinal win. In the Cowboys' road win over Colorado State on Feb. 25, Thiam scored nine points, had five rebounds and played a career high 32 minutes. In UW's win over UNLV on Feb. 18, Thiam also scored nine points, which was an especially impressive performance considering he partially dislocated high left shoulder the previous Saturday at San Diego State. On the season, Thiam pulled down double-digit rebounds in three games, including a career high 11 in UW's win over Houston Baptist. Thiam recorded his first career double-double, in just his third career game, in UW's win over Sacramento State with 11 points and 10 rebounds. In his first career game at Wyoming, Thiam helped lead the Pokes to a win over Northern Iowa, who played in the 2009 NCAA Tournament. In the game, Thiam pulled down seven rebounds, blocked two shots and scored three points. Before Wyoming: Thiam transferred to UW from Baylor University prior to the 2008 spring semester. Thiam practiced with the Cowboys throughout the second half of last season and will continue to do so this fall. He must continue to sit out of competition this fall semester to satisfy NCAA transfer rules. Thiam will be able to play for the Cowboys beginning with the 2009 spring semester and he will have two and one half years of eligibility remaining. Thiam played in the first seven games of the 2007-08 season for Baylor before deciding to transfer. He was averaging 2.7 points, 4.1 rebounds and 17.3 minutes per game, while shooting 60.0 percent from the field (9 of 15 field goals) as a redshirt freshman. He also was a perfect 1 of 1 from three-point range last season. Thiam played a career high 27 minutes in a 68-64 Baylor win over Notre Dame in the semifinals of the 2007 Paradise Jam in St. Thomas, Virgin Islands on Nov. 18. In that victory over the Irish, he grabbed four rebounds, scored two points and blocked one shot. He scored a career high five points in a 64-55 opening round win over Wichita State in the `07 Paradise Jam. Baylor went on to win the Paradise Jam Championship, defeating Winthrop in the Championship Game, 62-54. Twice during the 2007-08 season, Thiam pulled down a career best seven rebounds -- versus Centenary, in an 85-62 Baylor win, and against Mississippi Valley State in an 82-50 Baylor Bear victory. Thiam began his college career at Baylor in the 2006-07 season, but suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee on Nov. 20, 2006, versus Texas Southern. He was averaging 1.8 points and 1.3 rebounds per game in his first four games before suffering the season-ending injury. The NCAA granted Thiam a medical hardship for the season, giving him his freshman season back. As a freshman in 2006-07, he earned Big 12 Commissioner's Honor Roll during the spring of `07. His season bests in the `06-'07 season were five points, three rebounds and 17 minutes in a win over Angelo State on Nov. 11, 2006. Thiam attended the BSBS Basketball school in his native Senegal, before playing one year of high school basketball at Stoneridge Preparatory School in Tarzana, Calif. He was ranked as the No. 81 national recruit by HoopScoop.com during his senior season at Stoneridge Prep. Rivals.com rated him as the No. 93 top recruit nationally. Thiam helped lead Stoneridge to a high ranking of No. 14 by PrepStars.com during his senior season. Personal: Born July 6, 1986, Thiam is the son of Amadou Lamine Thiam and Ndeye Sar. Both of his parents played basketball for the Senegalese National Team. Thiam can speak three languages including English, French and Wolof (Senegal). He is studying communication at the University of Wyoming. |
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