April 20, 2005

WACO, Texas - Junior college forward Mohamed Kone from the College of Southern Idaho has signed a National Letter of Intent to play for Baylor University, head basketball coach Scott Drew announced Wednesday. Kone's addition to Baylor's early signees last fall has boosted the 2005 signing class to a No. 7 national ranking by HoopScoop.

"Our coaching staff is extremely excited to attract a student-athlete the caliber of Mohamed Kone to Baylor University," Drew said.

Kone is rated the nation's No. 1 junior college prospect by Mike Mitchell's Midwest Scouting Service. He's also listed as the top junior college center by Mullins Roundball Review and the No. 8 junior college player by HoopScoop.

A 6-11, 235-pound forward, Kone led Southern Idaho to the Region 18 title and a national third-place finish at the NJCAA championships this season. Kone earned the Region 18 tournament MVP award and was named to the NJCAA All-Tournament team. He made a tip-in at the buzzer to lift CSI to a 70-69 win over Midland College in the quarterfinals of the NJCAA championships.

Kone averaged 14.3 points, 9.5 rebounds and 2.1 blocks as a sophomore for the Golden Eagles, who finished with a 33-3 record. He was named to the 2005 All-Region 18 second team. Prior to the 2004-2005 season, Kone was rated the fifth-best JUCO sophomore nationally by The Sporting News and ranked as the No. 2 junior college center by Lindy's College Basketball 2004-05 preseason publication.

"Anytime you sign arguably the top juco recruit in the nation it definitely has a positive impact on the team," Drew said. "The addition of Mohamed makes a nice blend with the freshman that we signed last fall."

Kone is a native of the Ivory Coast and a French citizen. He averaged 6.3 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks and started 13 games as a freshman at Southern Idaho in 2003-2004. The Golden Eagles finished 24-11.