Almamy Thiero Leaves Memphis for Post Graduate Year

Almamy Thiero Enrolls at Duquesne Memphis graduate takes advantage of new transfer rule to attend grad school and play for the Dukes in 2006-07

Aug. 28, 2006

Head men's basketball coach Ron Everhart announced today that 6-10, 255-pound forward Almamy Thiero (ahl-mah-MEE cheer-O) has enrolled in graduate school at Duquesne and will play for the Dukes this season. Thiero, who competed his undergraduate degree at the University of Memphis in May, played in 28 games in three seasons for the Tigers from 2002-03 through 2005-06. He missed the 2005-06 season while recovering from an ACL injury suffered in the summer of 2005. He will have one season of eligibility at Duquesne.

"We are pleased that Almamy has decided to continue his education at Duquesne," said Everhart of Thiero. "He had some tough luck with injuries at Memphis and is looking forward to a fresh start. Almamy is a veteran of major college basketball at the highest level. We expect him to provide leadership and guidance for our younger players."

Thiero, a native of Mali, West Africa, played his first full season in 2004-05 after seeing limited action in his first two years due to injuries. Thiero's collegiate career got off to a rough start when he suffered a stress fracture to his tibia in November of 2002. Following surgery, Thiero played a total of two minutes in two games before a decision was made to petition the NCAA for a medical redshirt which sidelined him the remainder of the year. He had a second surgery on the leg during the summer of 2003.

Thiero missed the majority of the 2003-04 season after he was diagnosed with blood clots found near the lungs in mid-December. He saw action in three games prior to the discovery of the medical condition.

In 2004-05 - Thiero's only healthy season at Memphis - he averaged 0.5 points and 1.7 rebounds in 23 games highlighted by a seven rebound performance against Syracuse.
Thiero, whose full name is Almamy Seny Amadou Yattabary Thiero, averaged 18 points and 12 rebounds per game and was named team MVP as a senior for Mount Zion Christian Academy in Durham, N.C. He averaged 18 points and 14 rebounds as a junior.