Friends Ali-Mounir Benabdelhak (left) and Pacome Matulu will travel from Montreal to Brandon to join the Bobcats this fall.
Bobcats men’s basketball coach Gil Cheung logged almost 4,900 kilometres on the recruiting trail in March, making stops in Halifax, Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver, and Langley over 13 days. After announcing a pair of recruits from B.C. earlier this spring Cheung is now pleased to announce the signing of two recruits from the other side of the country. Montreal products Ali-Mounir Benabdelhak and Pacome Matulu have committed to Brandon University to play in the fall of 2012.
“The addition of two talented and ‘team-first’ guys to our program is great,” says Cheung. “I know they both are looking forward to putting on the Bobcat jersey, and both have expressed interest in making connections with the French immersion programs in Brandon schools as well.”
The two have been friends for years and will be making the jump to CIS together. Benabdelhak, a 6’6” forward, has spent the past two years playing for the Junior National team in Algeria where he was born.
“I am looking forward to the opportunity to play at Brandon University,” says Benabdelhak. “I hope to help this program improve and start my studies in Physical Education.”
Matulu spent two seasons at Montreal’s Collège Édouard-Montpetit where he led the team in rebounding his rookie year (5.8 per game), an impressive feat considering Matulu’s 6’2” frame.
“I’m a hard worker and I like to learn and improve,” says Matulu. “I’m a born leader, hard worker and I’m versatile. There is nothing more important than winning for me. I hate losing.”
Coach Cheung has high praise for both recruits and is looking forward to seeing them in action.
“Ali brings a strong skill set to our team. He is a versatile scorer who will post some match-up problems for other teams. He will fit right into what we are trying to do on both ends of the court. He is a scoring threat that will help open up the floor for the rest of our team, and we are fortunate to add him to our program,” says Cheung.
“Pacome will add leadership and toughness to our team. His ability to defend multiple positions will be a huge asset to our team especially in our Canada West conference. Pacome is a winner and the consummate team player, his passion for the game is infectious to those around him and we will be counting on him to lead us on the defensive end.”
“I knew both were very interested in BU, but during their visit they could not believe the hospitality and sense of family that the community gave them. It was convocation weekend and the University, faculty and city made them feel at home during this special time of year,” says Cheung.