A New Chapter for the Cavaliers
Ryan Odom, the head coach of the University of Virginia men’s basketball program, announced the first verbal commitment for the Class of 2027, a 6‑foot‑11 center named Mahamadou Landoure.
Prep School Destination
Landoure will spend the 2026‑2027 academic year at Bridgton Academy in Maine, a well‑known preparatory school that regularly fields Division I prospects.
International Experience
His most recent basketball action came in the Basketball Africa League, where he suited up for Dar City and posted averages of 9.0 points and 3.0 rebounds per game while shooting 7‑of‑10 from the field over his last three contests.
Mentorship and Size
At 17 years old and 260 pounds, Landoure is the youngest player on the Dar City roster, sharing the court with veteran big man Hasheem Thabeet, the second overall pick in the 2009 NBA Draft, who may provide valuable mentorship as the Mali native adjusts to a more competitive environment.
Coach Odom highlighted that Landoure’s combination of size, skill and work ethic aligns with the Cavaliers’ long‑term vision, and the coaching staff is eager to see how the young center develops when he eventually arrives on campus.