Clarke University to provide Drammeh with win-win opportunity
Pindo Drammeh
It worked.
The Sierra College sophomore piqued the interest of Clarke University, a NAIA school in Dubuque, Iowa, and now he’s headed there.
Drammeh, of Service High fame, will have two seasons of eligibility remaining with the Clarke Pride basketball team.
His scholarship will provide him a chance to continue his hoops career while learning about his chosen career after college.
“I’m looking to major in athletic training and that’s their bread and butter,” he told me.
The 6-foot-9 center can stretch the floor with his shooting ability and is quick enough on defense to stay in front of guards on pick-and-roll situations.
His game caught the eye of the Clarke coaches.
“They said I really caught their interest because I could run the floor well for a person my size,” Dremmeh said.
The man nicknamed ‘Air Africa’ blocked 52 shots in 58 career games with Sierra of the California Community College Athletic Association.
Known as more of a defensive anchor, he averaged 3.0 points and 3.0 rebounds for his career. As a sophomore, he sank 8-of-14 3-pointers.
“Coming to Sierra was a real culture shock,” Dremmeh said. “Playing in Alaska, there’s no shot clock so the pace of the game is a lot slower.”
The 30-second shot clock used in college helped him pick up the pace.
“It helped me with competition in the sense the game is a lot faster and a lot quicker,” he said. “It helped me develop more of my offensive skills. Coming out of high school I was more of a defensive presence. Now I have developed an overall all-around game.”
The 20-year-old eats, sleeps and breaths basketball.
“My coaches encourage me to work on my game a lot, but I didn’t really need the encouragement. That drive to get better, came within myself,” he said. “I work hard at becoming a better shooter or whatever I needed to help reach that next step.”
From Alaska to California to Iowa, Dremmeh has taken him everywhere.
“I want to thank Clarke for just giving me this opportunity to play at the next level. It’s truly a blessing and something I’m thankful for, and playing at this level is going to be really fun. It won’t be much of adjustment. I’m excited to see what’s in store.”