A New Chapter for the Rattlers
The Florida A&M Rattlers have added a towering presence to their lineup with the signing of Benjamin Ndour, a 6‑foot‑9 forward hailing from Dakar, Senegal.
Ndour arrives after a stint in Italy’s Serie B with Etrusca Basket San Miniato and a previous season with Fulgor Libertas Forlì in Serie A2, where he averaged 7.2 points over 29 games.
Coach Charlie Ward, who has been aggressively recruiting elite prospects, sees Ndour as a versatile two‑way player capable of rebounding, protecting the rim and stretching the floor with three‑point shooting.
His addition comes as the program also secured commitments from four‑star point guard Jayden Joseph, who chose FAMU over offers from Florida State, Mississippi State, Ole Miss, Oregon, UCF and Southern California, and from 6‑foot‑7 guard Cam Cooper, the second Power Five‑level recruit to commit since Ward took over.
The Rattlers finished the 2023‑24 season 15‑16, placing second in the SWAC after being predicted eighth in the preseason poll, a trajectory that Ward believes can be accelerated by the new frontcourt talent.
Ndour’s international experience, including time in Italy’s competitive leagues, is expected to raise the team’s competitiveness in the SWAC during the transfer era.