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“The reason why I chose Dayton is I think Dayton will be a good fit for me,” said Sissoko on an Instagram video on the school’s account, “and I think the coaches will take me to the next level.”
Here’s a quick summary of what Sissoko’s signing means for Dayton:
One left: Sissoko, who verbally committed to Dayton in October, becomes the first member of Dayton's 2019 recruiting class. The Flyers left one scholarship open in 2018 and will have one opening in 2019 with Josh Cunningham playing his final season. That means they still have one scholarship open in the 2019 class.
Star factor: According to 247Sports, Sissoko ranks 328th in the 2019 class. He's a three-star recruit.
Four of the five high school players to sign with Dayton since the hiring of Anthony Grant — Jalen Crutcher, Dwayne Cohill, Frankie Policelli and Sissoko — have been three-star recruits, according to 247Sports. Obi Toppin, Dayton’s leading scorer through the first two games this season, was a two-star recruit, according to VerbalCommits.com.
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Adding size: With Sissoko on the 2019-20 roster, Dayton will have one player at every height between 6-7 and 6-11, though heights often change when players are measured on campus. There's Nebraska transfer Jordy Tshimanga (6-11), who's sitting out this season, Sissoko (6-10), Toppin (6-9), Frankie Policelli (6-8) and Ryan Mikesell (6-7).
Foreign influence: Sissoko joins a short list of African-born players to sign with Dayton. He follows Maurice Beyina (Central African Republic), Stephen Bamigbola (Nigeria) and Makor Shayok (Sudan). His name is pronounced MOO-lie Sis-SOE-koe.
“We’re excited to announce the addition of Moulaye Sissoko to our Dayton basketball family,” Dayton coach Anthony Grant said in a press release. “Moulaye will be the first member of his family to attend university in the United States. He is a high-character young man who will bring size and physicality to our front court. We welcome him to the University of Dayton and our community.”
WEDNESDAY’S GAME
Dayton vs. Butler in Battle 4 Atlantis, 7 p.m., ESPN News, AM 1290 and News 95.7 WHIO
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