As the days continue to count down to the NBA Draft on June 20^th its former Florida State star Christ Koumadje who is making a pit stop back in Central Florida.  A place the 7’4 center calls home and was the landing spot after a long journey from Africa. Our Despina Barton sits down with Koumadje to talk about his childhood dreams and how basketball changed his whole life trajectory:

• Koumadje stayed for 4th year at FSU to complete degree in International Affairs
• Won National High School Championships with Montverde Academy (2014 & 2015)
• Made trek from N'djamena, Chad to United States in 2013
• Speaks five different languages

It feels like home when Christ Koumadje walks through these doors at Montverde Academy.

“Most of my earliest memories in the state, when I first came here and started playing basketball (are here),” Koumadje said of being back on campus.

It’s been six years and 51-pounds of pure muscle put on later since Koumadje first came to the states from a Senegal basketball academy in Africa.

“I just remembered his incredible length and he was always a willing learner very coachable and a hard worker,” Montverde Academy Basketball Coach Kevin Boyle explained of first working with Koumadje back in 2013.

Koumadje’s first passion was soccer in his home town of N’djamena, Chad. He still has very good footwork and showed off his versatility as he dribbled a different ball inside the Eagles gymnasium last week.

“In Chad and in Africa, everyone plays a lot of soccer and I play soccer in my neighborhood with my friends and even joined local club when we would play and I was like a goalie,” Koumadje added.

Things changed quickly as Koumadje continued to grow, ultimately landing in the states where he towered over team mates at Montverde Academy in 2013. He joined a nationally stacked basketball roster, and got his first formal introduction to the game, which sped up his knowledge.

“I played with Deangelo (Russell) my first year, Jordan Caroline, who went to Nevada. I played with Ben Simmons my last year,” Koumadje rattled off some of his former team mates.

That group of guys won multiple national high school championships together with many of them going on to play in the pros.

And that’s exactly what Koumadje is looking to do now, after adding to his skillset the last four years at Florida State. While he was a 7’4 dominating force in the paint this year, there is still catching up to do to make the leap.

“I do think it’s harder if you start later, but it’s not impossible by any means,” Boyle said of Koumadje’s basketball ceiling.

“Right now his size is unique, his shot blocking is unique –the next thing is can you rebound in our world and can you go out and guard a ball screener in our world and not leave too much room space for Steph Curry or James Harden to bang three’s all day.”

In Koumadje’s eyes he has what it takes to elevate his game and wants people to know he has more to offer than just his height.

“I know I can fit into that program because you are always going to need centers who can set screens, role, bring energy, rebound and defend,” Koumadje said. “If you are looking for someone like that why not give somebody who is 7’2-7’3 a shot?”

Maybe the single greatest asset he has to offer is that he isn’t’ close to reaching his full potential, the kid from Chad and his coaches believe there’s so much upside.

“Right now there is no reason to think he can’t make another couple of years of progress because he started so late,” Boyle added. “If he does that then he has a legitimate chance to be a productive player, even in the NBA or minimally an excellent player in Europe –so he’ll make a lot of money playing basketball some place.”

There’s no doubt the next time Koumadje walks through these doors he would have accomplished the goal he set out for himself when he first arrived in the country—his own version of the American dream.