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TURIN, ITALY - 2026/02/19: Kyle Wiltijer of Umana Reyer Venezia seen during the Quarter final match between Umana Reyer Venezia and Bertram Derthona Tortona at the Frecciarossa final Eight 2026 held at Inalpi Arena. Umana Reyer Venezia 87 : 95 Bertram Derthona Tortona. (Photo by Davide Di Lalla/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
As basketball has become increasingly global, international recruiting has become a big component of roster construction in college basketball.
Illinois just made a Final Four with a roster made up of mostly international players. While not using international talent to that extent, the Kentucky Wildcats have added at least one international prospect in three of the last four seasons, with at least one more coming this upcoming season.
Former Kentucky Wildcat Kyle Wiltjer, a member of the 2012 national championship team, recently spoke with Tom Leach on The Leach Report about new Wildcat Ousmane N’Diaye, a 6-foot-11 forward from Senegal, who will join the program after playing professionally in Europe.
N’Diaye most recently played in Italy’s top league, Liga Basket Serie A, the same league Wiltjer currently plays in, and the two played against each other twice this past season.
His first-hand experience?
“He can shoot really well,” Wiltjer said of N’Diaye. “He’s super athletic defensively, and finishes strong at the rim. So I think Kentucky fans should be excited because he’s playing at a high level — there’s a lot of grown men and players who have played at a high level over here. He’s not playing against kids. He’s playing against men… I think he’s going to do great at the NCAA level.”
The 10-year professional veteran also called N’Diaye an explosive athlete who can knock down the three with consistency and plays with a lot of self-confidence, “an exciting player.” Factor in Mark Pope’s offense, where versatile bigs have strived, and there is a lot of potential.
“When you go to a college campus and you work with player development coaches, he’s only going to improve. His athleticism alone is something to be excited about as a fan of Kentucky hoops,” Wiltjer added.
Here’s to hoping Wiltjer’s words prove to be true next season.
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