By Jerry Ratcliffe
Virginia has landed one of the top international big men from the recruiting class of 2027 in 6-foot-11 Mahamadou Landoure.
The big center, originally from Mali, is presently with NBA Academy Africa and plays for Dar City in the Tanzanian NBL. Landoure played the 2021-22 season with the Spanish Basketball Academy. He previously played for Los Blancos at age 13, the same route as present NBA star Luka Doncic.
It was with Los Blancos where Landoure made his first big splash as a 6-foot-9, 13-year old. Playing for Real Madrid in the Endesa Mini Cup championship, Landoure scored an eye-popping 56 points to go along with 33 rebounds and 5 blocked shots.
That performance went viral, drawing the attention of his idol, former NBA star Shaquille O’Neal.
In that game, Landoure made 21 of 29 field goals and was 14 of 24 from the free-throw line. He also drew 14 fouls in 34 minutes of floor time.
Scouts have commented that the big man, who just turned 17 years old, has great footwork, is a load to handle in the paint, has great strength, plus a massive wingspan. Ultra dominant in the paint on both offense and defense.
One scout even wrote that Landoure is the reason the Los Angeles Lakers are holding onto their first-round draft choice for 2029.
He has an array of post moves (his videos are quite impressive), hook shots, spin moves, layups. Thunder dunks begging for lob passes.
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