flo thamba brother

Position: Forward 6-10, 245lb (208cm, 111kg) . "More so for my mom, she's always supported me in a lot of ways, just seeing her and the fruits of labor after being away from each other is so special. Thats all we had, Michelle Weiss-Samaras, a spokesperson for the Denver Office of the Medical Examiner, told Westword, a Denver-based publication, in 2015. He was the No. Theres no chance. Eventually Baylor coaches figured out when hes quiet, then something is probably wrong, but it has taken years of observation to figure that out. But the thing that sticks with us the most was the togetherness we had. Baylor senior big man Flo Thamba announced Monday morning that he will return for his fifth year with the Bears in 2022-23. While Flagler (15.5 points) and freshman guard Keytone George (16.0) are the leaders on offense, Thamba took the long road to becoming the teams de facto leader. Last year was hard. I told the coaches Im not going to make my decision yet, Im going to spend time with my family. Everything is flowing; obviously we had some issues here and there, but everything was just clicking. In some ways, this made the process more difficult for Thamba. The plan was for Flo to move to the U.S. and live with Levi, his older brother watching over him as he went to high school and chased his own hoop dreams. On Monday, senior forward Flo Thamba announced he is returning for his final season as a Baylor Bear. It was early Tuesday in Cameroon whenBaylor beat Arkansasin the South Region final and Tchamwa Tchatchoua got his parents on a FaceTime call while he was on the ladder cutting off a piece of the net. And this was not a kid who was suicidal., Flo was heartbroken and unsure where he would go from there. Thamba has started all 29 of Baylor's games this season. That still hurt on its own, but when we lost the second game to Oklahoma State that was when we were like, Okay, whats going on? C.J. A lot of teams, they play basketball and then go home and do their own things. The fifth-year senior with a 7-foot-5 wingspan is Baylor's heart-and-soul, and the program's all-time winningest player (115 in games played). REB. The principal took his phone and later that day his uncle showed up to pick him up at boarding school. I could tell hes a strong man, Flo says. NEWS BIO SOCIAL STATS VIDEOS GAME LOG. We cheer for each other every time. He talked to Flo about his testimony, talked to Flo about the loyalty that Baylor has to their players, talked to Flo about Coach Drews vision and how it was a program of faith, Wilson says. Thamba requested a meeting with Wilson to make sure the program was positioned to continue and to check on his coach. Drews method is to search for whats possible, and then take the time to develop. Jonathan Tchamwa Tchatchoua and Flo Thamba, the high-energy athletic bigs who do so much inside helping guard-oriented Baylor, first met at a Basketball Without Borders camp in Johannesburg, South Africa. The report said he awoke early that morning, shivering and speaking French. After the last game happened, everybody kind of went home and just spent time with family. Thamba had another older brother who would wait for hours after school to ride the bus home with him. Thamba was a good soldier and performed when called upon You never had to worry that hed be too nervous or how he would respond, Drew says but he struggled internally. He currently resides in Kansas City where he is a talk show host and program director at KCMO Talk Radio. For Baylor forward Flo Thamba, however, few games, if any, carry more weight than Thursdays NCAA opener. His father left him with one message: I want you to reach your goals. "He was the one who . When he checked the ball -- firing it at his brother's legs -- that will resonate with plenty of viewers. He was like I feel like I know you from somewhere, said Thamba, who was already at Baylor when Tchamwa Tchatchoua (pronounced CHAWM-wuh CHAT-chew-wuh) transferred there following a freshman season at UNLV. One day Tristan is in practice; the next day hes not. Its a combination that is hard to beat during the season. When I spoke to them it was about how we have an opportunity to do something really good. We kind of took it with a grain of salt. Especially after the Villanova game where we just smacked them, I was like, Man, nothing can stop us now.. In a way, he wasnt so guarded when he got to Baylor because of the way Jakus had recruited him. The next morning Jakus rented a two-wheel-drive vehicle and drove four hours in 12 inches of snow to visit Thamba, who had just returned from a visit to Nebraska. This ability to be steady no matter the situation is why Thamba is still at Baylor. They visited a marijuana dispensary, and one of Levis friends purchased six cookies. Baylor routs rival Texas at home. A reporter mentioned that he spoke to Thambas parents before the game and Thambas brother had to translate, as neither spoke English. He said that when he plays in front of his family, its not as a star basketball player, but as the little brother who is the youngest in the household., They basically just see stuff, smile and then thats their communication language, Thamba said. Flos been playing since he was a freshman. He wants to play in the NBA, and if he gets there he plans to wear the jersey No. Just having that perspective, Ive seen a lot of kids not even have access to water in their household. I really didnt know what the Final Four meant before I even came to Baylor, he said. Tchamwa Tchatchoua said at times he just sits down and thanks God for an amazing journey, and how things worked out to get him here. But its not the same when you actually get to experience it, Thamba said. The days that ensued felt chaotic, but through it all, he watched his father. That was about five years ago and far from the NCAA Final Four. Just be yourself, everything will take care of it. Levi went back to sleep, but then woke up again crazy, his friends told police. He even considered it. The 6-10 forward, originally from Kinshasa, Congo, is coming off of his best year to date, averaging 6.2 points and 5.6 rebounds per contest. All logos are the trademark & property of their owners and not Sports Reference LLC. Even more. Thamba joined the Baylor program in 2018 after playing high school basketball in Virginia, but circumstances had prevented his parents from watching him take the court as a collegiate player until this week, as he revealed to Baylor Insider earlier in the week. He was tall, and the middle school coach suggested he play basketball. You can be down 20 or in a tie game, and Thambas expression isnt going to change. A native of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Thamba lived in South Africa, France and England before making his way to the United States in 2014. The camaraderie was really high. His best game of the 2021 season came against Kansas, ranked fifth at the time, when he dropped 18 points and nine rebounds en route to an 80-70 victory over the Jayhawks. Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. Posted on March 17, 2022. But given the circumstances, the day was about far more than just basketball for Thamba and his family in the end a theme Thamba says has always rung true in his household. The 6-foot-10 Congo native is the lone starter left from Baylors 2021 title team and is one of three impact forwards who hail from Africa. Why wouldnt I take advantage of that?. But, overall, its just amazing having them around.. AST. He thinks about him often, and then he thinks about his father and the example he setthat you have to keep moving onto the next thing. Fully healthy, theres no team that stood a chance.. Cole Park in Tyler, CASH CATTLE: How Texas ranchers are beefing up their, Suspects names released in connection to Jasper, Las Vegas Raiders draft former West Rusk Raider Tyree, UPDATE: Shelby County officials found Louisiana woman, It was worth the wait Arps Demarvion Overshown, Hudson Legrow: CHRISTUS Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, Smith County Childrens Advocacy Center recognized, KETK Rise & Shine CTCU Coffee Mug Giveaway, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. March 22, 2023. If you go back through, like a Cory Jefferson, youve got to get really high-character kids that want to love Baylor and not rent us.. ANALYSIS. Ever., He was confused. The use of software that blocks ads hinders our ability to serve you the content you came here to enjoy. Thamba said he made many sacrifices along the way, but everything found its path and paid offI definitely want to add to (my own legacy), but most importantly I want to help bring us another championship. C.J. It was more like moments of happiness. Thamba loves Wilson likes a second father. It was early Tuesday in Cameroon when Baylor beat Arkansas in the South Region final and Tchamwa Tchatchoua got his parents on a FaceTime call while he was on the ladder cutting off a piece of the net. He averaged 3.6 points and four rebounds per game, helping Baylor win its first NCAA tournament title. (Mark J. Rebilas / USA Today). Find Tickets. Find out more. As he copes with the 2014 death of his brother, Thamba is splitting minutes at center for the second-ranked Bears. You just take with you a part of everything you see and everything you experience.. As a sixth-grader in South Africa when just starting to learn how to dribble, Thamba had another older brother who would wait for hours after school to ride the bus home with him. After basketball, I have a lot of things that I want to do. Keeler: Chris Paul got dirty. Naturally, when you get on the court that translates over. Im proud to have a Baylor degree, Thamba writes, but there is more work to be done. I just had to swallow that tough pill and lockdown right now and focus on school.. Thats what separates having a good season and having a great season. Baylor does a pairs shooting competition, and since Tchamwa Tchatchoua transferred from UNLV to Baylor in 2019, theyve been paired together and call themselves the African Connection., Thamba starts, but the minutes are split almost evenly . 10 prospect among schools from the state of Virginia, regardless of position. Thamba, who has started all 28 games, and Tchamwa Tchatchoua combine to average 9.9 points and 8.9 rebounds a game. '". What are your plans for after college, what are you striving for? Baylor vs Iowa State Cyclones Ferrell Center - Sat 3/4 Tickets as low as $9. But, overall, it's just amazing having them around.. Its basically just picking up on the same values, keep your head down and keep working and everything will come to fruition., Thamba now shares the center spot with Jonathan Tchamwa Tchatchoua, whom he has made better by sharing tricks he has learned on how to be a better screener and how to make reads in Baylors offense. Flo knows his father probably had his moments alone when he allowed himself to grieve, but he never saw his dad cry. He gradually earned that trust. Then he remembered Facebook. Angry CU Buffs parents, confused kids who felt forced into transfer portal. Im thinking its a repeat. So anytime hes locked in and hes flying around out there, everybody is going to feel it. But, I mean, when I saw them for the first time in the stands, it was kind of weird, Thamba said. You can learn more about Pete by visiting his personal website: PeteMundo.com. I just felt like it really meant something.. Hes had lights on him and had to figure it out.. It's hard to gain trust with Flo Thamba. [3], Thamba came off the bench during his first two years at Baylor. When the time came, I sat down with my family and said, Here are the possible outcomes and possible decisions, and I made my decision based on conversations I had with my parents and with the coaches. Yall ended the season rolling, how did you guys keep going and rally to win another Big 12 regular season championship? Thambas made 96 consecutive starts entering the tournament, and is averaging 5.1 points and 4.8 rebounds. You just take with you a part of everything you see and everything you experience.. For them, it's just more like family environments, it's like having fun, like we enjoyed it. Flo Thamba (0) Forward - Senior with 7-foot-5 wingspan, originally from Kinshasa, Congo; splits time with Jonathan Tchamwa Tchatchoua at 5-spot Holds the program The process at Baylor, particularly for big men, sometimes takes time. Kind of shot two air balls in the warmup. Instead, he figured out why and analyzed the small details including defensive positioning and the way Gillespie communicated defensively that made him so successful. Flo Thamba's parents are getting to watch him play in person for the first time in his college career. What we do takes one, two, three years sometimes for these guys, Jakus says. Thamba doesnt try to look too far ahead, but he does have one big hoop dream that would allow him to honor his brother. His favorite was during a tournament somewhere in the heart of Tennessee, stuck in a snow storm and late to a game. The 6-foot-10, 245-pound post player with the 7-5 wingspan had four points, four rebounds and a steal in Saturday's 78-59 semifinal win . Kevin Durant moped. Baylors coaches worried they were going to lose Thamba. As an athlete, saying big means championship, but thats just a little piece of metal. I have an opportunity to see those same guys as well as the talent coming in who are all willing to buy in. He came into it with expectations that he was going to play and play a lot.. You look at any championship team, there must be guys who really love each other.. The NBA hopeful has twin older brothers who are engineers, another brother who is in finance and a sister working toward a law degree in England. They open up the tap and nothing comes out. When [Jonathan Tchamwa Tchatchoua] went down, how did that impact your mentality and the way you approached every game? How did you make the decision to return? Flo Thamba drops in and-1 for Baylor. You can be down 20 or in a tie game, and Thamba's expression isn . It was back when the two still-growing and raw players from different countries in Central Africa created a bond because they both spoke French. Every day was a mystery. My dad always tells me, Hey man, you have that degree and you have all these accolades to go along with it, nothing can stop you, so for me it was just seeing the bigger picture. Question, Comment, Feedback, or Correction? In October 2015, with the help of Charlotte Hornets center Bismack Biyombo, who is also from the Congo, Flo moved to the United States to play basketball at Mountain Mission School in Virginia. And, yeah, just went out there and just played. 34 center by 247Sports. It was the way Thamba cared that made Wilson love him so much. FILE - Baylor forward Flo Thamba (0) shoots against Villanova in the second half of a Sweet 16 game in the NCAA men's college basketball tournament at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, in this Saturday, March 27, 2021, file photo. Powered by Capitol Presence & Olympus Cloud. His best game of the 2021 season came [] Flo Thamba muscles in for and-1 basket. Tchamwa Tchatchoua was born in Cameroon and spent two years at the NBA Global Academy in Canberra, Australia, where he first played organized basketball. Levi and his friends took the cookies back to their hotel. Thamba was born in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and lived in England and France during his childhood before settling in South Africa. I took full advantage of that; I hadnt seen my parents in a long time so I was focused on them. According to a police report, over the next two hours, he exhibited erratic speech and hostile behavior. 3M; 0:17. Wilson has countless examples of Thamba in this role. The SPORTS REFERENCE and STATHEAD trademarks are owned exclusively by Sports Reference LLC. Thats pretty unique.. 0:18; See All. Thamba said his father, who works in customs in the Democratic Republic of Congo, wanted his children to have the ability to experience and see different things. But in the end, it only added to the motivation for the senior entering his final go around in March Madness. He was the guy who actually was dedicated to me more than anybody else, because everybody else just thought it was more of an intramural thing I was just doing for fun. Stoic is the word his coaches use. 1Y; 0:16. Other days he was a third-stringer. At times that was really hard because you ask any player in college and all theyre thinking about is the NBA. Powered by Capitol Presence & Olympus Cloud. Thamba had a relatively productive outing given that he played just 18 minutes in this season-ending loss for the Bears. The 6-foot-10 senior saw his playing time shrink with reserve big man . In four seasons, Thamba has appeared in 116 games with the Bears, averaging 3.6 points and 3.6 rebounds in 14.2 minutes per game. I always play aggressive and go out there and play to the best of my ability. Its usually pointed at them, but he wanted to have a conversation, not only for himself but all the other guys that were there.. His sister is in England now and working on getting her law degree. Its why Drew often redshirts his big men. 243 overall and No. Man, it actually worked for Freddie. Definitely the teams chemistry, the fact that we have a bunch of guys that love each other. His father is Emmanuel Thamba and his mother's name is Flarentine Soko-Pongi. The tragedy that inspires Baylor center Flo Thamba. You must be a subscriber to . The whole experience of filling out the brackets and the anticipation of the first game, all of that stuff, I never really knew it until I actually experienced it.. F, #0. He ran out of the room, tumbling over the railing in a hallway that overlooked the lobby, falling four floors to his death. It was a moment of realization, he remembers. Most players in that situation transfer. All rights reserved. A former three-star prospect out of Grundy (Va.) Mountain Mission School, Thamba signed with Baylor as a three-star prospect in the Class of 2018, per the 247Sports Composite Player Rankings. For me, something big is making a difference in someones life., Baylor baseball swept by No. Weve got this. The national champion sat down with me to reflect on this past season, as well as give more insight on his decision to return for a fifth season. He said he didnt start playing basketball until he was 12 or 13 years old, and knew little then about the NCAA Tournament. All-American junior Jared Butler and his backcourt mates Davion Mitchell and MaCio Teague pretty much get all of the attention for top-seeded Baylor (26-2), which plays former Southwest Conference rival Houston in the first national semifinal game Saturday. Given Thambas well-traveled youth, his parents were speaking French. It required two surgeries and Tchamwa Tchatchoua didnt debut this season until Feb. 4, nearly a year after he was named the 2022 Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year. All-American junior Jared Butler and his backcourt mates Davion Mitchell and MaCio Teague pretty much get all of the attention for the top-seeded Bears (26-2), who play a former Southwest Conference rival in the first national semifinal game Saturday. What were the biggest factors? Theres almost no explanation, assistant coach John Jakus says. He has worked at Bleacher Report as the sites national college basketball writer and also covered the sport for CBSSports.com and Basketball Prospectus. It's more like just that little brother who's the youngest in the household. Thamba, who has a 7-foot-5 wingspan, is originally from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, grew up in South Africa and also lived in England and France before coming to the United States.
Clear Fork High School Yearbooks, A Bug's Life Bloopers Transcript, Tower Lane, Beverly Hills, Articles F