Bruce Weber, head coach of K-State men’s basketball, announced on June 20 the addition of Mawdo Sallah to the roster. Sallah comes to K-State from Mount St. Mary’s in Emmitsburg, Maryland as a graduate transfer.
Sallah spent three seasons, 2014–2017, at Mount St. Mary’s, where he played in 51 games, including 38 starts and averaged 4.5 points on a 52.5 percent shooting average (104-of-198).
Jamion Christian, head coach of Mount St. Mary’s, talked about his former player’s potential.
“[Sallah] is still reaching his potential,” Christian said to K-State Sports. “He has only played basketball for five or six years, so his best is ahead of him. He’s more versatile than people think, but tremendous in the ball screen and roll game. He has a 7-foot-3 reach, so he will be able to block shots and protect the rim.”
Christian said he has high expectations for Sallah’s continued basketball career.
“I believed he would have been a potential all-league player here someday,” Christian said. “He is a tremendously hard worker. He’s known as a leader who empowers others around him to be at their best.”
Sallah went to West African International High School, and then he moved from Latri Kunda, Gambia to the United States and attended Broadfording Christian Academy in Hagerstown, Maryland at the age of 16. He began playing basketball when he came to the U.S.
After graduating from Broadfording, Sallah attended Fishburne Military Prep School for a year before attending Mount St. Mary’s. He will graduate in July with a degree in accounting and a dual minor in business and information systems.
Sallah said he is excited to come to K-State.
“When K-State showed an interest, I was looking for somewhere I could feel a part of a family and create relationships with the people around me while growing as a person and a player,” Sallah said. “At K-State, I was able to find everything I was looking for in a program.”
Sallah said he is eager to advance in both his basketball career and his personal relationships.
“I’m looking forward to a new beginning and level of competition, as well as building relationships with the people around me,” Sallah said. “I have not had the chance to play with the team, but I did get to meet the guys. We had a great relationship from the start. I think we will be a good team.”
Weber said he also is looking forward to having Sallah on the team.
“We are excited to not only get a quality player like [Sallah] at this late of a date, but also a terrific student-athlete who will graduate in three years from Mount St. Mary’s,” Weber said to K-State Sports. “Obviously at 6-foot-9, 235 pounds, he fills an immediate need for us in the post, while also bringing Division I experience, having played at such a successful mid major program.”
Weber shared the high expectations he has for Sallah’s inclusion on the team.
“His upside is terrific, as he has only been playing basketball for the last five or six years, including just two in college,” Weber said to K-State Sports. “He also brings great maturity and strong leadership abilities. He is driven to be successful not only on the court, but also in the classroom.”
At K-State, Sallah will complete graduate courses to receive his master’s degree in business administration.
Sallah said he looks forward to the future with an end goal in mind.
“The ultimate goal is to get a chance to play in the NBA,” Sallah said. “On the other hand, I am getting my MBA, so that’ll give me options after basketball. I am looking to improve as a student and as an athlete. There is always room for improvement.”
