He just needed to see the vision and then allow the coaches to help him. Flo Thamba, Baylors anchor and all-time, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Flo Thamba, Baylors anchor and all-time winningest player, one of three African big men helping Bears title push, DUs Bill Tierney set to retire as sports most decorated coach, lacrosse icon, Grading the Week: Cale Makars big hit, Coach Primes roster overhaul and optics vs. reality, Joel Scott, D-II player of the year and Lewis-Palmer graduate, transfers to Colorado State. His twin older brothers are engineers. Jon in transition, I think Ive got like four 3s specifically this year because of Jon sprinting the floor, and the guard had to drop down in the paint for him, Teague said. He was bad. Then coming in sophomore year and him getting all the minutes, I had no reason to be mad. Im thinking its a repeat. . It was the way Thamba cared that made Wilson love him so much. (Mark J. Rebilas / USA Today). 10 prospect among schools from the state of Virginia, regardless of position. On Monday, senior forward Flo Thamba announced he is returning for his final season as a Baylor Bear. Learning that lesson of staying composed, facing all your battles. Flo Thamba nails the buzzer-beater. Follow CJ on Twitter @cjmoorehoops, Thamba is making his voice heard with the Bears. He ran out of the room, tumbling over the railing in a hallway that overlooked the lobby, falling four floors to his death. There are no statistics for this selected season available for this player. Even more. But its not the same when you actually get to experience it, Thamba said. Tchamwa Tchatchoua was born in Cameroon and spent two years at the NBA Global Academy in Canberra, Australia, where he first played organized basketball. When he got to Baylor, he had to pay dues, playing his first 52 games off the bench before becoming a starter as a junior and helping lead the Bears to the programs first national title. 1Y; 2:02. Join our linker program. The tragedy that inspires Baylor center Flo Thamba. College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com Blog and Articles. Later, he woke up again and left the fourth-floor room and then returned, telling his friends, This is a sign from God that this has happened, that I cant control myself. Find Tickets. Because of what happened to his brother, it takes time to win his trust. Everything is flowing; obviously we had some issues here and there, but everything was just clicking. The fifth-year senior with a 7-foot-5 wingspan is Baylor's heart-and-soul, and the program's all-time winningest player (115 in games played). Denae Fritz Announces Transfer from Iowa State to Baylor, Baylor Bears Womens Basketball 2023-24 Offseason Roster Tracker, Baylor Bears mens basketball 2023-24 offseason roster tracker, Baylor to Face Brady Manek, Tar Heels in NCAA Second Round, Saint Peters Overtime Win over Kentucky Upsets East Region. In times of distress, Flo says, you always panic and make wrong decisions.. In the presence of others, he held his head high. He is a member of the BBWAA and PFWA. 1Y; 0:16. But after that camp, they didnt see each other again until a pickup game two summers ago, more than 9,000 miles away in Waco, Texas. [1] At age 16, he moved to the United States to attend Mountain Mission School in Grundy, Virginia, where he played basketball for three seasons. He has worked at Bleacher Report as the sites national college basketball writer and also covered the sport for CBSSports.com and Basketball Prospectus. You can learn more about Pete by visiting his personal website: PeteMundo.com. 2022-23 Big 12 Standings. A CDC article in July 2015 notes that Levi had 7.2 ng/mL of THC; the legal limit to operate a vehicle in Colorado is 5.0 ng/mL. But, overall, its just amazing having them around.. Its hard to gain trust with Flo Thamba. It was back when the two still-growing and raw players from different countries in Central Africa created a bond because they both spoke French. Thamba had another older brother who would wait for hours after school to ride the bus home with him. We had the potential to be in the same conversation, even when you cut down a quarter of our roster with everyone being hurt.. Kevin Durant moped. Is there anything better than cold beer and baseball? After basketball, I have a lot of things that I want to do. Somewhere, in the back of his mind, he continues to be carried by his brothers faith. Gillespie said he knew how this season would play out when he talked to Thamba right before the games began, and the big man told him, Now when I get my opportunity, theres no looking back. What we do takes one, two, three years sometimes for these guys, Jakus says. Jon in transition, I think Ive got like four 3s specifically this year because of Jon sprinting the floor, and the guard had to drop down in the paint for him, Teague said. But after that camp, they didnt see each other again until a pickup game two summers ago, more than 9,000 miles away in Waco, Texas. Devin Booker sulked. That was about five years ago and far from the NCAA Final Four. The two, who met in 2016 in Africa at a Basketball without Borders camp, share a special bond. 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His father is Emmanuel Thamba and his mother's name is Flarentine Soko-Pongi. In the case of his father, the two had not seen each other in seven years. A reporter mentioned that he spoke to Thambas parents before the game and Thambas brother had to translate, as neither spoke English. Thamba said his father, who works in customs in the Democratic Republic of Congo, wanted his children to have the ability to experience and see different things. He said that when he plays in front of his family, its not as a star basketball player, but as the little brother who is the youngest in the household., They basically just see stuff, smile and then thats their communication language, Thamba said. One of the cooler moments of this years tournament was when Flo Thamba got to play in front of his parents for the first time in his collegiate career, helping Baylor defeat Norfolk State in the opening round with 14 points, six rebounds, one assist, one block, and two steals. When Im playing, usually when the starting big gets tired and the second big comes in, I know I can get a little active. He didnt speak English at the time, only French and his mother tongue. Thamba will give the Bears valuable experience down low, and the Bears are expected to bring back guard Adam Flagler, guard Dale Bonner, guard LJ Cryer, guard/forward Jordan Turner, and forward Zach Loveday. The reason I had that in mind is because growing up in Congo, we had limited access to water in general. March 22, 2023. He is a beat reporter covering the Colorado Rockies and Denver Broncos in addition to covering other professional, college and high school athletics around the state. What were the biggest factors? @BaylorMBB @ALaForce pic.twitter.com/7HfIVbOtSI. But Teague said both posts carve out space in the lane with screens that make it easier for the guards to shoot, and there are times when Tchamwa Tchatchoua runs the floor with the smaller guys. I wanted to wear it in college, but they dont allow that. I want to make a difference in my culture, because I have an opportunity to do something big. Tchamwa Tchatchoua was born and raised in Cameroon, but moved at age 16 to Canberra, Australia, to enroll at the then-brand-new NBA Global Academy. Flo Thamba (0) Forward - Senior with 7-foot-5 wingspan, originally from Kinshasa, Congo; splits time with Jonathan Tchamwa Tchatchoua at 5-spot Holds the program FORT WORTH, Texas Baylor forward Flo Thamba's parents saw him play for the Bears for the first time on Thursday at the first round of the NCAA Tournament. But that truth, and those circumstances, were difficult. He was the guy who actually was dedicated to me more than anybody else, because everybody else just thought it was more of an intramural thing I was just doing for fun. Logos were compiled by the amazing SportsLogos.net. Senior with 7-foot-5 wingspan, originally from Kinshasa, Congo; splits time with Jonathan Tchamwa Tchatchoua at 5-spot Holds the program record for most NCAA Tournament Games Played (10, eight starts) Started 64-consecutive games after entering 2020-21 national championship season with 0 career starts in 52 games played Scored in double-figures in 6 of last 10 games of 2021-22 after doing so in 4 of first 106 games Had 9 more steals in the 2021-22 season (22 in 694 minutes) than first 3 seasons combined (13 in 952 minutes) Born in Congo, lived in England, France and South Africa, emigrated to United States in 2014 Averaged 14.0 points, 10.0 rebounds and 1.5 blocks as senior at Mountain Mission School in Grundy, Va. Late addition to 2018 signing class, ranked No. VividSeats. Flo Thambas basketball career started like it does for a lot of Africans. But those guards know they wouldn't be where they are now without the often interchangeable 245-pound post players _ the 6-foot-10 Thamba and and 6-8 Tchamwa Tchatchoua. Cumulus and the Big 12 are not affiliated with this website. Thamba, who has started all 28 games, and Tchamwa Tchatchoua combine to average 9.9 points and 8.9 rebounds a game. He said he didnt start playing basketball until he was 12 or 13 years old, and knew little then about the NCAA Tournament. Yall ended the season rolling, how did you guys keep going and rally to win another Big 12 regular season championship? The use of software that blocks ads hinders our ability to serve you the content you came here to enjoy. Drew says if Clark had been healthy, he probably would have played with two bigs more often, which would have meant Thamba would have been locked into that backup big man role and the minutes would have been there. Just be yourself, everything will take care of it. And, yeah, (I) just went out there and just played. "If we give him one more [award ball] we won't have anymore to practice with," Drew quipped. If you go back through, like a Cory Jefferson, youve got to get really high-character kids that want to love Baylor and not rent us.. PTS. But those guards know they wouldnt be where they are without the interchangeable 245-pound post players: the 6-foot-10 junior Thamba and and 6-8 sophomore Tchamwa Tchatchoua, who earned the nickname Everyday Jon for his work ethic and nonstop energy since his arrival. Kiszla: One-hit wonders? The team starts off 15-0, youre at the top of the mountain. About 30 to 60 minutes after eating the first piece, he told his friends he didnt feel anything, so he ate the rest of the cookie, which contained 65 milligrams of THC 6 times the recommended serving amount. It was back when the two still-growing and raw players from different [] Baylor routs rival Texas at home. Im proud to have a Baylor degree, Thamba writes, but there is more work to be done. Thamba has started all 29 of Baylor's games this season. All-American junior Jared Butler and his backcourt mates Davion Mitchell and MaCio Teague pretty much get all of the attention for the top-seeded Bears (26-2), who play a former Southwest Conference rival in the first national semifinal game Saturday. Plus, Jonathan Tchamwa Tchatchouashould return from his knee injury earlier this season, giving Baylor a strong squad yet again in 2022-23. Thamba said he found himself having a lot of motivation to play well, and he did, as he scored 14 points against Norfolk State. Fully healthy, theres no team that stood a chance.. Thamba didnt necessarily need an explanation for why it happened. Florent Thamba (born 25 February 1999) is a Congolese college basketball player for the Baylor Bears of the Big 12 Conference. Another brother is in finance. We cheer for each other every time. The NBA hopeful has twin older brothers who are engineers, another brother who is in finance and a sister working toward a law degree in England. He said that older brother, Levy, later went to a community college in Wyoming to study engineering, but died in an accident after trying a legal marijuana edible during a spring break trip to Colorado in 2014. But its not the same when you actually get to experience it, Thamba said. 0:16; Baylor hands Kansas 3rd straight loss. But for us, Im starting and then youre thinking, Okay the bench guy is coming in, but the bench guy is Jon and hes coming to dunk on you. The 6-foot-10, 245-pound post player with the 7-5 wingspan had four points, four rebounds and a steal in Saturday's 78-59 semifinal win . Theres no perfect way to deal with what (Thamba) went through., His former high school coach, Al Wilson, would talk him through it. AST. His father left him with one message: I want you to reach your goals. Thamba, who has a 7-foot-5 wingspan, is originally from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, grew up in South Africa and also lived in England and France before coming to the United States. You can find Matthew Postins on Twitter @PostinsPostcard. Team CONF GB OVR; Kansas . Its a combination that is hard to beat during the season. He was the one who believed in my basketball dreams, Flo says. Levi went back to sleep, but then woke up again crazy, his friends told police. Hes averaged 5.7 points and 4.7 rebounds while splitting time with Thamba at the five-spot. How was he so steady? [3] In his junior season, Thamba became a starter for one of the top teams in the nation. When Coach Jakus understood that and told him his heart, I think that was the tipping point for Flo.. 5 Kansas 80-70 in Big 12", "The tragedy that inspires Baylor center Flo Thamba", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Flo_Thamba&oldid=1143412984, This page was last edited on 7 March 2023, at 15:26. MORE: March Madness bracket 2023: Updated viewing details for Sweet 16, Elite Eight games FORT WORTH, Texas It was business as usual for defending national champion Baylor Mens Basketball Thursday as the top-seeded Bears dispatched 16-seed Norfolk State in the NCAA Tournament, 85-49, to advance to the Round of 32. Emmanual Thamba works in customs in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and he sent his children all over the world to study. 4.9. Jonathan Tchamwa Tchatchoua and Flo Thamba, the high-energy athletic bigs who do so much inside helping guard-oriented Baylor, first met at a Basketball Without Borders camp in Johannesburg, South Africa. His best game of the 2021 season came against Kansas, ranked fifth at the time, when he dropped 18 points and nine rebounds en route to an 80-70 victory over the Jayhawks. Weve got this. Thamba was born in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and lived in England and France during his childhood before settling in South Africa. Wilson was driving a 15-passenger bus, took a wrong turn and tried to turn around but got stuck in a ditch in the muddy snow. Now you get a stretch big, someone who can shoot 40, 50 percent from three and that opens up the offense. Its usually pointed at them, but he wanted to have a conversation, not only for himself but all the other guys that were there.. Were still waiting on a couple of guys decisions, but if they do decide to come back then most definitely. Hes more than just a basketball player. I really didnt know what the Final Four meant before I even came to Baylor, he said. He said he didnt start playing basketball until he was 12 or 13 years old, and knew little then about the NCAA Tournament. He was the guy who actually was dedicated to me more than anybody else, because everybody else just thought it was more of an intramural thing I was just doing for fun. Even after this game, when I see them again, it's not going to be, like, I'm the superstar who plays basketball. Flo Thamba goes up strong for the and-1. 1:44; Flo Thamba muscles in for and-1 basket. Just keep going. The Oklahoma Sooners are Big 12 softball champions, once again, after an 8-2 win over the Kansas Jayhawks on Sunday. FILE - Baylor forward Flo Thamba (0) shoots against Villanova in the second half of a Sweet 16 game in the NCAA men's college basketball tournament at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, in this Saturday, March 27, 2021, file photo. Complementing Thamba is another talented forward, redshirt senior Jonathan Tchamwa Tchatchoua. They open up the tap and nothing comes out. 212 by Dallas Cowboys in NFL Draft, Eric Gray Selected No. "More so for my mom, she's always supported me in a lot of ways, just seeing her and the fruits of labor after being away from each other is so special. What was the feeling in the locker room after dropping a crazy one to the University of North Carolina? Thambas made 96 consecutive starts entering the tournament, and is averaging 5.1 points and 4.8 rebounds. Thamba, who has started all 28 games, and Tchamwa Tchatchoua combine to average 9.9 points and 8.9 rebounds a game. But in the end, it only added to the motivation for the senior entering his final go around in March Madness. . Thamba had six points (2-2 FG, 2-2 FT), three rebounds and two blocks over 18 minutes during Sunday's 85-76 loss to Creighton. After Im done playing I want to open up a nonprofit thats going to have a partnership to give clean water to Africa. In different circumstances, last season might have played out differently. Flo Thamba throws down big slam dunk vs. Mcneese St Cowboys. Because of his injury, Jon was able to spend a lot of time just working on his shot and his passing, Drew said. We have players on the bench that are starters on any other team. Kind of shot two air balls in the warmup. Hes different than a lot of kids now. 8. Thamba doesnt try to look too far ahead, but he does have one big hoop dream that would allow him to honor his brother. Come on fellas. As an athlete, saying big means championship, but thats just a little piece of metal. Flo Thamba contributed 18 points (8-13 FG, 2-3 FT) and nine rebounds over 23 minutes during Saturday's 80-70 victory over Kansas. He currently resides in Kansas City where he is a talk show host and program director at KCMO Talk Radio. 172 by New York Giants in NFL Draft, ESPNs Pete Thamel on Chris Klieman: He Knows How to Win Championships, Bill Self Admits He Still Talks to His Late Father in Key Moments, Bill Self: Never a Doubt Kansas Would Return to Biggest Stage Following FBI Investigation. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The 2023 NFL Draft is in the books and it was a good showing for the Big 12 Conference. 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