This season, the UB men's basketball team has gotten itself a bit of international spice. Yassin Idbihi, a freshman undecided major, is an imposing 6-foot-10-inch forward/center for the team. At 20 years old, Idbihi hopes to bring some experience and presence to the hardwood floor.
A Moroccan native, Idbihi played basketball in Rhoendorf, Germany before making his way to UB.
"The biggest difference was between Morocco and Germany," said Idbihi. "There is still a difference between Germany and America. But it is always nice to meet new people."
While growing up in Morocco, soccer was Idbihi's sport of choice, but a major growth spurt at the age of 14 all but sealed his fate to become a basketball player. Not long after, the still-growing Idbihi moved to Germany to live with his uncle, enrolling in a basketball camp. After attending high school in Germany, Idbihi stayed in the country to play professional basketball for the Rhoendorf Dragons.
Though he possesses a body that was clearly built for athletics, Idbihi is well developed intellectually as well. He speaks six languages including German, English, Moroccan, Spanish and French. According to the men's basketball head coach Reggie Witherspoon, Idbihi's intelligence made him a very attractive prospect for UB basketball.
"We found out that he is a very good student, which made us want him more," said Witherspoon. "Sometimes when recruiting, we find out that (the prospects) are not smart so we stop recruiting them."
With his easy smile and friendly open nature, it is not difficult to see why Idbihi's coach and teammates have taken to the young man they nicknamed "The Dream."
"It did not take long for him to assimilate," said Witherspoon. "He is very lively, personable and guys on the team love him."
Idbihi said the feeling is mutual.
"My teammates are cool and I am a person who gets along with everyone," he said.
According to Whitherspoon, Idbihi's skills can only add to the Bulls' endeavor to be a force to be reckoned with this season.
"As a freshman he is an asset to the team," said Witherspoon. "He is further ahead (of) where most students would be."
As accomplished a player as he is, it would be difficult to imagine that Idbihi was not born with a miniature basketball in his hand, but he said it took him a while to learn how to play the sport well.
"I was bad in the beginning; I learned over time," said Idbihi. "I was the worst player on my team."
Those days are apparently over.
One of the newest additions to the young Bulls - from whom much is expected in the upcoming season - Idbihi is building an impressive resume that he hopes will eventually result in a spot on a professional basketball team in the US.
As for now, Idbihi said he plans to use the 23 pounds of muscle he's gained since his stay at UB to show UB and the United States what he is made of, as he described the ultimate experience in basketball.
"The best feeling is when you score the shot that wins the game," said Idbihi.
Idbihi's coach and teammates believe they have scored a winning shot with this new player.
"Yassin is probably our secret weapon, nobody knows about him," said Turner Battle, a junior communication major and starting point guard for the Bulls. "He is mature and I love playing with him as a post player."
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
