DAYTON – University of Dayton men's basketball coach Anthony Grant has announced that Moulaye Sissoko, a 6-foot-9 freshman center from Bamako in the Republic of Mali, will redshirt the 2019-20 season.

"We're excited about Moulaye's potential," Grant said.  "This redshirt season will allow him to continue to develop and grow athletically and academically.    He will be with us every day, and that experience will benefit him greatly in terms of his basketball future."

Sissoko is the only scholarship freshman on the team.  Every other player on the Dayton roster who is 6-foor-7 or taller is at least in his third season of college basketball.

Sissoko first came to the United States from Mali at the age of 16.  He played at Central Park Christian in Birmingham, Ala., before transferring to Lincoln Academy in Suwanee, Ga.  He averaged 9.5 points and 7.5 rebounds as a senior, helping Lincoln Academy to a 22-5 record.

Dayton opened the season with an 86-81 win over Indiana State last Saturday.  The Flyers host Charleston Southern this Saturday at 7 p.m. ET.