The BYU basketball program has officially added another player from Africa to its roster.
Coach Mark Pope announced Friday that 6-foot-11 center Atiki Ally Atiki has signed a scholarship agreement with the Cougars.
“We are incredibly excited to announce Atiki as the newest member of the BYU basketball family,” Pope said in a news release. “Growing up in Tanzania, Atiki will bring to our team a fresh world view and added diversity in our continued pursuit of the best locker room in America. He is humble, hungry and has an overwhelmingly-special work ethic that Cougar Nation will fall in love with. He is a gifted athlete with length, athleticism and touch around the rim. He is sure to become a fan favorite and have a major impact on BYU basketball and our entire community for years to come.”
Last year, the Cougars signed forward Gideon George, who hails from Nigeria, and Fousseyni Traore from Mali.
Atiki, who has a 7-foot-2 wingspan, is from Mwanza, Tanzania. He moved to Ontario, Canada, in 2018 to complete high school. He played at the London Basketball Academy.
Atiki, ranked as the No. 5 college basketball prospect in Canada by Canada’s National Preparatory Association, averaged 19 points and 12 rebounds in his junior season. Atiki’s senior season was heavily impacted by COVID-19 as Canada had limited sporting events during the pandemic.
Before committing to BYU, Atiki had scholarship offers from San Diego State and Oklahoma, among others.