Souf Mensah of the Marshalltown Community College men's basketball team has committed to Rutgers University. Mensah will join the Scarlet Knights for the 2017-18 season.
Rutgers, members of the Big Ten Conference, are guided by head coach Steve Pikiell. The 2016 America East Conference Coach of the Year with Stony Brook University, Pikiell concluded his first year with the Scarlet Knights that saw an upset over Ohio State University in the Big Ten Tournament.
"I decided to sign with Rutgers because for me, it was the best decision," Mensah stated. "I really loved the coaching staff's vision. When I went there for an official visit, it made it a very easy decision."
A native of Nantes, France, Mensah will make the jump to a new location in the United States. "It's going to be different for sure, but I've been used to change so I'm going to adapt to it quickly. I'm going to have to adapt myself to the competitiveness of the Big Ten, but taking the summer to work out and become better will have me ready for the challenge."
MCC head coach Brynjar Brynjarsson noted Mensah's ability to lead the Tigers from the point guard position. "Mentally, Souf is a very tough kid. He has brought great leadership to our program over the past two seasons and that is what you look for in a point guard. It's been a pleasure to watch Souf grow since the day he stepped foot on campus and we look forward to seeing his success at the highest of levels with Rutgers in the Big Ten."
Mensah becomes the second Tiger point guard in the last two years to sign with a major NCAA Division I program, joining Mike Rodriguez who recently finished up his career at Southern Illinois University.
"I would not be able to have this great opportunity to attend Rutgers if it were not for Marshalltown Community College, both on and off the court. It's been a great journey here at MCC that I'm very thankful for. I will miss all of the good people that I've met here, from the teammates, to the coaches, to the faculty and staff. Everyone has helped change me for the better and I cannot thank them enough."
"I'm looking forward to the next chapter of my life with the Scarlet Knights."
Mensah intends to study business at Rutgers University.
