Former Illinois Big Man Ibby Djimde Finds a Home

It's been quite an offseason for Illinois transfer Ibby Djimde. After tantalizing a few mid-major programs, it seems as if Djimde will stay close to Champaign and attend Southern Illinois.

Djimde started the offseason visiting Longwood University in Farmville, Virginia. The general consensus was that Djimde was strongly considering the Lancers and would likely end up suiting up for first year head coach Jayson Gee.

Instead of heading to Virginia, the former Huntington Prep start was slated to head to another Big South school, Coastal Carolina. On July 8 Jeff Zell reported:

Illinois forward Ibby Djimde tells News13 Sports Director Jeff Zell that he will transfer to CCU this fall. Djimde, 6-8, 245 pound forward from Bamako, Mali, will use his redshirt season to sit out the upcoming season due to transfer rules. He will still have two years of eligibility.

Djimde went on to site his relationship with former Chanticleer Sam McLaurin, who transferred to Illinois for his final year of eligibility, and the fact that his sponsor family owned a home in Myrtle Beach as a reason for choosing Coastal Carolina.

Another Big South school would feel the sting as last week Djimde de-committed and decided to join Barry Hinson's squad in Carbondale. The 6'8 Djimde is still very much a project and is extremely raw. A year off though could make him a future force in the Missouri Valley Conference.