Johann Mpondo (Wright State)

[Big D]

Sophomore forward, 6-8, plans to transfer to WSU
By Kyle Nagel
May 11, 2010

Johann Mpondo, a 6-foot-8, 230-pound forward from the University of New Orleans, plans to transfer to Wright State to spend his final two seasons of eligibility beginning next season, he said Tuesday night, May 11.

Mpondo said he called WSU coach Billy Donlon and gave his commitment on Tuesday night after visiting the Fairborn campus last weekend.

“I enjoyed the campus and forming the relationship with coach Donlon,” Mpondo said.

Mpondo averaged 5.2 points and 3.3 rebounds last season for New Orleans, which finished 8-22.

Mpondo said he and his New Orleans teammates were told they could transfer to another Division I program and not sit out a season as usually occurs with transfers because New Orleans is reclassifying to D-III status. He said he started considering transferring to another school when the players learned about the change from D-I to D-III last fall.

Originally from Douala, Cameroon, Mpondo said he went to high school in Decatur, Ill., and signed with Rhode Island out of high school but didn’t qualify because some of his English credits didn’t transfer. He spent a year at a prep school before attending New Orleans.

Mpondo will be WSU’s third player 6-8 or taller next season, joining Cooper Land, who will be a senior, and 6-9 incoming freshman A.J. Pacher from Vandalia Butler High School.


www.daytondailynews.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/dayton/wrightstatesports/entries/2010/05/11/sophomore_forward_68_plans_to.html?cxtype=feedbot

[Raider Fanatic]

Wright State reels in big man, transfer from New Orleans
By Kyle Nagel, Staff Writer
11:47 PM Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Johann Mpondo, a 6-foot-8, 230-pound forward from the University of New Orleans, plans to transfer to Wright State to spend his final two seasons of basketball eligibility beginning next season, he said Tuesday night, May 11.

Mpondo said he called WSU coach Billy Donlon and gave his commitment on Tuesday night after visiting the Fairborn campus last weekend.

“I enjoyed the campus and forming the relationship with Coach Donlon,” Mpondo said.

Mpondo averaged 5.2 points and 3.3 rebounds in 29 games last season for New Orleans, which finished 8-22.

Mpondo said he and his New Orleans teammates were told they could transfer to another Division I program and not sit out a season, as usually occurs with transfers between D-I schools, because New Orleans is reclassifying to D-III status.

He said he started considering transferring to another school when the players learned about the school’s probable change from D-I to D-III last fall.

Originally from Douala, Cameroon, Mpondo spent two years at Decatur Christian High School in Decatur, Ill., and signed with Rhode Island out of high school but didn’t qualify because some of his English credits from time living in France didn’t transfer.

He spent a year at Massanutten Military Academy in Woodstock, Va., before attending New Orleans.

Mpondo will be WSU’s third player 6-8 or taller next season, joining 6-8 Cooper Land, who will be a senior, and 6-9 incoming freshman A.J. Pacher from Vandalia Butler High School.

He is expected to give the Raiders needed post experience after the loss of 6-9 Ronnie Thomas and 6-7 Cory Cooperwood to graduation.

“I feel like I can do whatever the coach needs me to do,” Mpondo said. “I feel like I can help the program.”

www.daytondailynews.com/dayton-sports/wright-state-university-raiders/wright-state-reels-in-big-man-transfer-from-new-orleans-701012.html