IRVINE, Calif. --- Mamadou Ndiaye has decided to remain in the NBA Draft and forgo his final season of eligibility at UC Irvine.
The 7-6 Ndiaye averaged 12.1 points and 7.2 rebounds this past season when UCI won a school-record 28 games, claimed a share of the Big West Conference title and reached the championship game of the CollegeInsider.com Tournament (CIT).
The 2016 All-Big West first team selection had 87 blocked shots as a junior and is the Anteaters' career leader with 218, which ranks third in conference history. Ndiaye's 554 career rebounds rank 18th in the UCI record book and he shot 67.6 percent from the field in his career.
Ndiaye was named the Big West's Best Defensive Player in 2015-16 for the second time in three years and he was named to the 2016 National Association of Basketball Coaches All-District 9 second team.
"After much thought and conversation, I have decided to forego my remaining eligibility to pursue my dream of playing in the NBA," Ndiaye said. "As I officially take this next step in my journey, I want to thank the UC Irvine family that has taken every step with me over the past three years. My time in Irvine has been filled with unforgettable memories, this school has become my second home. From my coaches to the administration to the fans and students who have supported me from day one, thank you all so much. Special thanks to Coach Turner for always being honest with me and helping me to become the man I am today.
"I understand that there will be questions about my decision to enter the NBA Draft but I'm excited to show everyone how dedicated I am to pursing my professional dreams. Lastly, I pledge to all of my family and friends that I will continue my studies so I can achieve another dream of mine: a degree from UC Irvine! I hope that everyone will follow my journey and support me," Ndiaye added.
UCI won 72 games in Ndiaye's three seasons and advanced to the postseason each year, including the program's first appearance in the NCAA Division I Tournament in 2015.
"Mamadou has had an incredible impact in his time at UC Irvine and I know this decision has been a difficult one for him," said UCI head coach Russell Turner. "I support him completely and I know that he is committed to the choice he has made. I am eager to see all that he can accomplish and I hope the entire UCI community joins me in supporting Mamadou in the next part of his journey.
"Mamadou has left a mark on this community and in our program, and we appreciate that. Along with his teammates, he has been a part of unprecedented success on the court, and like his teammates, he has been a young man who has made us all proud," Turner said. "I hope we will continue to see him often on campus as he works to complete his degree. I am certain that Mamadou will continue to be a great representative of UC Irvine and our men's basketball team."
The 2016 NBA Draft will be held June 23 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y. Ndiaye filed his paperwork with the NBA office April 7 and had until Wednesday (May 25) to withdraw his name from draft consideration to retain his collegiate eligibility.
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