Adam Zagoria covers basketball at all levels. He is the author of two books and an award-winning journalist whose articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Sports Illustrated, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide.
Villanova freshman big man Mouphtaou Yarou has been cleared to play in the team’s opener Friday against Fairleigh Dickinson.
“He has been cleared by the eligibility center and will play,” Wildcats Coach Jay Wright told ESPN.com.
The Sporting News reported on Monday that the 6-foot-9, 240-pound Yarou might be 25 instead of 19 — as he is listed — because he was listed as being 23 during the 2007 African Cup.
Wright told ESPN Yarou said he did not play in the event and that Villanova has documents proving his birthdate.
“We take seriously any questions regarding NCAA compliance and are currently reviewing all information related to Mouphtaou’s enrollment,” Villanova AD Vince Nicastro said. “Villanova has fully complied with the NCAA throughout this process and has been in communication with it on this matter. The documentation we have examined, which includes passports and naturalization papers, lists the year of birth in this case as 1990. In addition, Mouphtaou was cleared through the NCAA’s Eligibility Center.”
“We will continue to actively monitor this situation and offer updates as more information becomes available.”
A native of Benin in West Africa, Yarou could step in immediately this year and contribute a shot-blocking presence that Villanova has lacked in recent years. He was ranked No. 3 among power forwards in the Class of 2009 by Rivals and No. 10 overall.
“He could definitely be one of the best,” Chris Timba, Yarou’s guardian, told me when Yarou first committed. “His goal is to be the best. He has soft hands, big hands, he can shoot a little bit outside, can shoot inside, can shoot the 10-footer, can put it on the floor a little bit. You’re talking about a big-time player.”
Added Yarou: “I want to play like Carlos Boozer. I don’t know if I can, but I want to try.”
After Yarou first committed to Villanova in 2008, Wright traveled to Benin to visit Yarou’s parents. His father, Louis, is an agricultural engineer, and his mother, Awaou, operates a clothing store. Yarou has 12 brothers and sisters, most of whom remain in Africa.
“When a great coach like Jay Wright went to visit them, they couldn’t believe that,” Yarou said. He added that his mother “doesn’t believe that even right now.”
Yarou transferred into Montrose Christian for his senior year in order to play a more competitive schedule and learn to play a more team-oriented brand of basketball. Together, he and current Villanova frosh Isaiah Armwood helped Montrose Christian reach the semifinals of the inaugural ESPN Rise National High School Invitational held the weekend of the Final Four.
“Montrose helped me to be a team player, not just a selfish player,” Yarou said. “That was really good.”
(Photo courtesy Kelly Kline/Nike)
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Adam Zagoria is a Basketball Insider who covers basketball at all levels. A contributor to The New York Times and SportsNet New York (SNY), he is also the author of two books and is an award-winning journalist and filmmaker. His articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide. He also won an Emmy award for his work on the SNY mini-documentary on Syracuse guard Tyus Battle.
A veteran Ultimate Frisbee player, he has competed in numerous National and World Championships and, perhaps more importantly, his teams won the Westchester Summer League (WSL) championships in 2011 and 2013.
He lives in Manhattan with his wife and children.
Villanova freshman big man Mouphtaou Yarou has been cleared to play in the team’s opener Friday against Fairleigh Dickinson.
“He has been cleared by the eligibility center and will play,” Wildcats Coach Jay Wright told ESPN.com.
The Sporting News reported on Monday that the 6-foot-9, 240-pound Yarou might be 25 instead of 19 — as he is listed — because he was listed as being 23 during the 2007 African Cup.
Wright told ESPN Yarou said he did not play in the event and that Villanova has documents proving his birthdate.
“We take seriously any questions regarding NCAA compliance and are currently reviewing all information related to Mouphtaou’s enrollment,” Villanova AD Vince Nicastro said. “Villanova has fully complied with the NCAA throughout this process and has been in communication with it on this matter. The documentation we have examined, which includes passports and naturalization papers, lists the year of birth in this case as 1990. In addition, Mouphtaou was cleared through the NCAA’s Eligibility Center.”
“We will continue to actively monitor this situation and offer updates as more information becomes available.”
A native of Benin in West Africa, Yarou could step in immediately this year and contribute a shot-blocking presence that Villanova has lacked in recent years. He was ranked No. 3 among power forwards in the Class of 2009 by Rivals and No. 10 overall.
“He could definitely be one of the best,” Chris Timba, Yarou’s guardian, told me when Yarou first committed. “His goal is to be the best. He has soft hands, big hands, he can shoot a little bit outside, can shoot inside, can shoot the 10-footer, can put it on the floor a little bit. You’re talking about a big-time player.”
Added Yarou: “I want to play like Carlos Boozer. I don’t know if I can, but I want to try.”
After Yarou first committed to Villanova in 2008, Wright traveled to Benin to visit Yarou’s parents. His father, Louis, is an agricultural engineer, and his mother, Awaou, operates a clothing store. Yarou has 12 brothers and sisters, most of whom remain in Africa.
“When a great coach like Jay Wright went to visit them, they couldn’t believe that,” Yarou said. He added that his mother “doesn’t believe that even right now.”
Yarou transferred into Montrose Christian for his senior year in order to play a more competitive schedule and learn to play a more team-oriented brand of basketball. Together, he and current Villanova frosh Isaiah Armwood helped Montrose Christian reach the semifinals of the inaugural ESPN Rise National High School Invitational held the weekend of the Final Four.
“Montrose helped me to be a team player, not just a selfish player,” Yarou said. “That was really good.”
(Photo courtesy Kelly Kline/Nike)
Follow Adam Zagoria on Twitter
