theintermountain
In the world of college basketball, elite big men are a rare commodity, and West Virginia has often found itself on the short end of that scarcity. While other programs have boasted legendary centers like Wilt Chamberlain, Bill Russell, and more recently Purdue's Zach Edey, the Mountaineers have typically relied on undersized or less polished post players to hold down the paint.
Perhaps the most notable exception in recent memory is Kevin Pittsnogle, a 6-foot-11 forward who played more like a guard and helped redefine the position by knocking down 3-pointers under coach John Beilein two decades ago. Before him, one must look back to the early 1950s to find Mark Workman, a 6-foot-9 traditional center who averaged 23.1 points per game and pulled down 17.5 rebounds as a senior.
In more recent years, Kevin Jones, standing just 6-foot-8, was arguably the best, while shot-blockers like Sagaba Konate and D'Or Fischer provided excitement, and talents like Oscar Tshiebwe and Gordon Malone never fully realized their potential in Morgantown. Last season, 7-footer Harlan Obioha developed into a solid defender but had clear offensive limitations, prompting coach Ross Hodge to search for an upgrade.
Hodge found that upgrade in Mouhamed Sylla, a smooth, athletic 7-footer from Georgia Tech who brings a dynamic skill set to the Mountaineers. Sylla can block shots, rebound, and, crucially, stretch the floor with his offensive abilities—something Obioha lacked. His arrival could be as pivotal as the addition of five-star freshman point guard Miles Sadler, and Hodge is eager to integrate him into the system.
Key Analysis
Sylla's impact goes beyond simple statistics. Hodge praised his fluidity and vertical presence, noting that he can run the floor and finish above the rim, which should open up the pick-and-roll game. "He gives you more of a vertical presence in your pick-and-roll game," Hodge said. "He can get behind the defense, and when it doesn't take him long... you're able to play over the top at a higher rate than you were."
Still a work in progress, Sylla played just 12 games last season but has shown a rapid learning curve. "He's improved a lot in the summer, and he can continue to get a lot better," Hodge added. "He's eager. He wants to be coached. He wants to be told the truth."
Sylla's arrival also comes as WVU holds an open roster spot, with Hodge potentially waiting on a court ruling that could grant another year of eligibility to forward Brenen Lorient, who previously played under Hodge at North Texas. Lorient has expressed his loyalty, saying, "I just need an opportunity... I'm going to try and pay him back any way that I can."
If Sylla can deliver on his promise, he could be the game-changer WVU has long sought, altering the very essence of their offense with his end-to-end speed and ability to play above the rim—a stark contrast to Obioha's position-based defense.
Originally reported by theintermountain.