Former Oklahoma State center Moussa Cisse, ESPN’s No. 9 player available on the NCAA transfer portal, has committed to play at Ole Miss next season, he told ESPN on Sunday.
“I want to be the most complete basketball player I can be, and I think Coach Beard can help me get there,” Cisse said.
Cisse, a former co-Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year, is considered one of the best returning defensive players in college basketball, giving the Rebels a boost as they transition to a new coaching staff. He picked up Ole Miss offers from UCLA and Cincinnati.
Guinea-born Cisse, a five-star recruit in the 2020 class, is ranked No. 24 by ESPN. He originally committed to play at Memphis, but transferred to Oklahoma State after his freshman year, where he won AAC Freshman of the Year honors. He spent the last two seasons at Oklahoma State and helped the Cowboys win the NIT Championship in 2021.
At 6-foot-11, with a 7-foot-4½ wingspan, Seas has outstanding size, length and mobility, which helped him rank as one of the best rebounders and shot-blockers in college basketball last season.
Cisse said the opportunity to “start fresh” with newly appointed head coach Chris Baird played a key role in his decision to transfer.
“His track record, system and style of play speak for themselves,” Cisse said. “He’s been one of the most successful coaches in college basketball over the last few years.”
Ole Miss is replacing virtually most of its roster from last season after a coaching change, with several four-star high school recruits and transfers Brandon Murray (Georgetown), Jamarion Sharp (Western Kentucky) and Austin Nunez (Arizona State).
They are awaiting a decision from leading scorer Matthew Murrell, who is currently testing the NBA draft waters and competing in the G League Elite Camp in Chicago this weekend.
Jonathan Givony is an NBA draft expert and founder and co-owner of DraftExpress.com, a private scouting and analytics service used by NBA, NCAA and international teams.