Marial Mading and Mayoum Mayoum are headed to the West Coast
This Tuesday, two Sudanese-Australian basketball prospects made their college announcements, with both set to line up in the West Coast Conference (WCC).
Marial Mading, a 6'11 power forward, committed to Division I team, the Pacific Tigers. In Stockton, California, Mading will be under the tutelage of former NBA player Damon Stoudamire who has coached the team since 2016. Mayoum Mayoum, a 6'4 shooting guard who grew up in Melbourne, has committed to Loyola Marymount, a signing that may result in the two players going up against each other during the season.
Mading's commitment comes after a head-turning year for the big man playing at junior college level with Chipola College, playing alongside fellow Australian Lat Mayen (committed to Nebraska). Over the 2019-2020 season, Mading averaging 12 points in playing just 20.3 minutes per game.
Touted as a four star recruit by Rivals, Mading had offers from several big schools including Florida, Kansas, Nebraska, Oregon, Texas A&M, Western Kentucky and LSU, as well as interest from college powerhouse Kentucky.
Originally from Sudan, Mading grew up in Perth, Australia, before moving to the US to play high school basketball at the Commonwealth Academy in Massachusetts.
Mading initially committed to the University in Rhode Island in 2018, however he elected to enter the transfer portal before playing a game for the team. In discussing his latest recruitment process, he said this of his time at Rhode Island.
"Rhode Island was a good place," shared Mading. "I loved the coaching staff, I loved the students and the team it just wasn't the right fit. This time around I want to make sure I get that.
"First thing is obviously my relationship with the head coach. A coach who is going to trust my skill set and let me play the game the way I know how to play it. Also a program that has good player development and help me get to the next level."
Long and athletic, Mading has exceptional upside due to his fluidity as an athlete and advanced perimeter skills.
"It's hard work and I had a late growth spurt," Mading told Rivals.com. "When I was younger I played the guard position and then when I was a sophomore and junior I had a massive growth spurt so the skills kind of stuck with me."
With three years of college eligibility remaining, Mading joins a Tigers roster that is currently guard heavy. With only upcoming senior Amari McCray an established contributor in the front court, expect Mading to get plenty of opportunity for minutes, both alongside McCray as well as centre James Hampshire.
Pacific have a strong history of taking on Junior College prospects, so it appears Mading is in a strong position to develop and have an impact next college season.
Mayoum Mayoum was born in Khartoum, Egypt, and after growing up in Australia, elected to play his high school basketball in Florida, initially with DME Academy, and most recently at The Potter's House Christian Academy. The Melburnian received interest from Auburn, Georgetown, Wyoming, McNeese State, Mississippi State, Canisus and Stetson.
A class of 2020 guard, Mayoum will be joining LMU as a freshman. With explosive athleticism, Mayoum will provide energy on the defensive end. Although his shooting is a work in progress, he's already a handful attacking the rim where he excels playing downhill and can finish above the rim in space.
Mayoum will be joining fellow Australian Keli Leaupepe at the program, who enjoyed a highly successful first college season, averaging 9.1 points and 3.9 rebounds per game on his way to being named in the All-WCC Freshman Team and The Pick and Roll's All-Australian Second Team.
He will be playing under new head coach Stan Johnson, who was announced in the role only last month and replaces Mike Dunlap who many in Australia will know for his three years at the helm of the Adelaide 36ers in the NBL between 1994 and 1996.
Mading's Pacific finished third in the WCC standings this past season, while LMU managed to qualify for the WCC Tournament in eighth position. Both programs will be hoping their latest additions from Australia will help them make some increased noise following their arrival.