An overlooked aspect of the transfer portal is the academics of players who are looking to find a new home. This was evident last summer when star guard and UNC transfer Caleb Love had to de-commit from Michigan because his credits could not transfer over. Memphis target Moussa Cisse is in a similar situation this off-season.
How is that impacting his recruitment?
Cisse’s Academic Situation
Moussa Cisse, a transfer from Ole Miss, is currently short of the NCAA threshold that mandates student-athletes must have 80% of their credits completed by the end of their junior year to maintain eligibility. To be eligible, Cisse would have to complete summer coursework or find a university that would accept his credits.
The only two schools that will accept enough of his credits to meet the 80% threshold are Oklahoma State and Memphis – both being his former schools. The former five-star recruit spent his freshman year at Memphis before transferring to Oklahoma State for his second and third collegiate seasons. These schools will accept some of his previously non-transferable credits – the same credits that caused him to fail to meet the 80% threshold – because they were taken at the school itself. Thus, transferring back to one of his previous schools would allow for immediate eligibility for Cisse.
This effectively means that Cisse’s recruitment is down to Oklahoma State and Memphis.
Previous Eligibility Issues
Moussa Cisse got a late start to this past season due to being a two-time transfer at the time. He, alongside teammate and fellow transfer Brandon Murray, missed time due to awaiting an eligibility waiver. Cisse missed the first five games of the 2023-24 season, ncluding games against Temple and NC State.
The NCAA granted him eligibility on November 28th, just before the team’s home game against NC State in the ACC/SEC Challenge. Cisse played his first game against his former team, Memphis, on December 2nd.
Cisse’s Impact
Moussa Cisse is a 7’0 center who played this past season for Ole Miss. This season, he averaged 4.5 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.4 blocks, and 0.7 steals per game. He shot 55.8% from the floor and 26.3% from the free throw line. Cisse made 17 starts and played 26 games for the Rebels, averaging 17.5 minutes per contest.
Moussa Cisse is a physically imposing and athletic center primarily known for his rim protection ability. He finished the season with a 8.4% block rate and was an intimidating presence on the inside.
The former Ole Miss Rebel has a strong frame that he uses to dominate on the glass. His 7’0, 230 pound frame and long wingspan allows him to bully opposing players for position underneath the basket and get to balls that ricochet off the rim.
His size, rim protection, and athleticism, would make for an intriguing addition in Memphis’ frontcourt.
