Freshman Ladji Dembele faces a unique adjustment ahead of his first season. Unlike the rest of Iowa’s 2023 signing class, he does not hail from Iowa or Illinois. Originally from Mali in West Africa, the 6-foot-9 forward has played the last two years at St. Benedict’s Prep in Newark, N.J.
Though a tough move, Dembele has felt right at home in Iowa City. That comfort in Iowa began when he visited the Hawkeyes for the third time before committing.
“When I came here, the way that I spoke with coach McCaffery and when I watched the practice, I felt like that was home for me. I said, ‘Why not come here?’ No matter how far it is, I felt like that was home for me when I took the visit,” Dembele said.
It has been aided greatly by his new teammates. In particular, the fellow freshman signees.
“Yeah, we made a group chat when everyone committed and we started introducing ourselves, so we have a good friendship,” Dembele said.
On the court, Ladji has faced a different challenge of adjusting to a new style of play.
“The game is a little bit faster coming from high school, and you’ve got to be tougher. So, I would say physically and the pace. I’m trying to learn and trying to do the best I can.
“Coach McCaffery gives you freedom to dribble the ball as long as you don’t turn the ball over. I would say dribbling the ball and making shots more. That’s what I’m working on now,” Dembele said.
Joseph Cress/Iowa City Press-Citizen / USA TODAY NETWORK
While Ladji knows the steps he needs to take to move forward, those around him have had nothing but praise for how quickly the young freshman has come along.
“Ladji has been really impressive so far,” Iowa head basketball coach Fran McCaffery said at last Thursday’s media availability. “He’s obviously a big body. He’s probably 260 pounds now. He’s got a really good skill set. He moves it, he can put it on the deck and he can make threes.
“He has been a phenomenally impressive rebounder every day since he got here which is what we need from that position. I think that’s what we expected, but most freshman don’t come in and consistently rebound the way he has. It’s there. We thought it was there, but everyday he’s up over ten rebounds at practice.”
Despite those claims by the four-star forward about the leap in physicality, it seems as though he’s immediately been up for the challenge. His great work on the boards and hustle were praised by his teammates as well.
“He works hard every single day. I mean, he goes after it, he gets every offensive rebound every time down the court, so just having somebody that plays that hard, we’ve been able to bond on the court and that’s transferred off the court as well,” fellow freshman signee Brock Harding said of Dembele.
Say hello to the newest Hawkeye…
✍️ @ladji_kalilou x #Hawkeyes pic.twitter.com/scSCqyRJAh
— Iowa Men’s Basketball (@IowaHoops) November 17, 2022
To go along with his natural rebounding ability, Dembele is working hard in the film room to become a better defender, too.
“I watch a lot of defense. I’m not like a great defender, but I’m just trying to make sure I see the ball and I see my man. Pay attention on those little details. I think that’s the most important part for me,” Dembele said.
Dembele mentioned both Patrick McCaffery and Ben Krikke as players he’s often matching up with in practice and as the duo that he’s learning the most from.
“Patrick and Ben. They’ve helped me more, because those are the two players that I guard the most. They tell me the tricks, like how to defend the ball screens and stuff. And Tony also, because I would say he’s the captain of the team, so they help me a lot,” Dembele said.
For the St. Benedict’s Prep product, it has been a great journey so far. He is the first in his family to play college basketball. Dembele has been working hard on and off the court ahead of the season to make his dream of playing college ball a reality.
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