Who is Aziz N'Diaye?

(Updated, 7:30 AM) Thanks to one of our readers, “Paul,” for pointing out that N’Diaye may miss the entire 2009/10 season with a torn ACL that required surgery in June. Here’s a link to a post about that.

I’ve seen reports ranging from UW offering N’Diaye a scholarship (for 2010) to this buzz being part of the incredibly intense recruiting talk surrounding Josh Smith. So, it may be worth listening to, and may not amount to much at all.

N’Diaye started 25 games for the Golden Eagles last season, averaging 8.5 points and 7.9 rebounds per game. He shot 55% from the field (but only 38% from the line), and blocked more than two shots per contest (good for second in the Scenic West Athletic Conference). Check out more stats here.

The College of Southern Idaho’s biggest distinction is that the program was started in the 1960s by coaching legend Eddie Sutton, who’s gone on to three Final Fours and more than 800 wins.

Since none of this buzz about N’Diaye has come directly from the source, I’m going to assume that he is one of the bigs we’re targeting for 2010 in the event Josh Smith chooses UCLA. Beyond that, you’ll hear it when I hear it.

Thanks for coming!