University of Memphis Athletics
Photo by: Matthew A. Smith
Get To Know: Moussa Cisse
Jan 29, 2021 | Men's Basketball
Freshman center switched from playing soccer to basketball when he was 12 years old.
When the Memphis soccer programs begin play in February – their seasons pushed to the spring due to the pandemic – Tiger Nation shouldn't be surprised to see a 6-foot-10 fan in the stands. He may find his way to the field and kick a ball with the ball boys and girls.
Although his future is in professional basketball, Moussa Cisse still has an affection for his first love in sports: soccer.
"When I was a kid over there, I played soccer," said Cisse, who grew up in Conakry, Guinea. "They call it fútbol over there, but it's soccer here. Every day at four o'clock, we'd go on the court and play soccer.
"Before this season, our team would go running on the track, and the women's soccer team also would be at practice. On the side, I would play around with the soccer ball. My teammates would say, 'Oh, you played soccer.' I would have to tell them that I had played soccer before."
Cisse played right wing and enjoyed the sport with his friends.
"I was pretty good at soccer," Cisse said. "It was fun. I miss it, miss it a lot. I have a lot of friends over there, and it's pretty cool."
The sports switch to hoops occurred when Cisse was around 12 years old. It was his brother that got him interested in scoring the ball in a different goal.
"One day my brother, who was visiting from Canada, told me I needed to start playing basketball," said Cisse. "That's how I picked up basketball.
"At first, I wasn't really interested. Back home, basketball is not as big as it is here. Everybody at home loves soccer. I didn't take basketball seriously until my brother came and started training me, showing me videos. I started liking it."
As Cisse's basketball interest grew, his brother encouraged him to move to the United States. Cisse's mother also urged him to go to the U.S. for another reason.
"It was more about having better schools here," said Cisse, who attended St. Bendict's Prep and Christ the King Regional High School in New York City area. "My mom always talked about going to school. My brother also told me I could go to school and play basketball. He told me I could be a student-athlete. When I got to the United States, that's what I focused on."
After a couple of years in New York City, Cisse moved to Memphis and enrolled at Lausanne Collegiate School, where he helped lead the Lynx to a state championship. His main reason for the move: remain focused on his goal.
"It was a move that kept me focused (on basketball)," Cisse said. "In New York, there's a lot of things going on that can distract you. Everywhere in New York is so far away from each other; my cousin lived two hours from my house. I had to take a train every time to visit him. Here in Memphis, there are things to do, but not a lot of places to go. That helps me stay focused."
Let's learn more about Cisse:
One word that best describes me is … Fun
If I had a super power, it would be … Time travel
The best thing about Memphis is … The food – especially the wings – and the people. Everybody is so generous.
If I didn't play basketball (or soccer), I'd … Run track (sprints). One time when my brother came back home to train me, he said I had to start running track, and it would help my basketball skills. He started training me on the track, and it was pretty cool.
My Favorite Things
Athlete … LeBron James
Sports team … Real Madrid (I watched a lot of soccer growing up) 🇪🇸
Color(s) … Blue, black
Candy … Gummy bears
Emoji … Praying hands 🙏🏿
Ice cream … Cookies 'n cream 🍨
Midnight snack … Twix ice cream
Holiday … Thanksgiving 🦃
Movie … Friday
Toy as a kid … Cars 🏎️
Although his future is in professional basketball, Moussa Cisse still has an affection for his first love in sports: soccer.
"When I was a kid over there, I played soccer," said Cisse, who grew up in Conakry, Guinea. "They call it fútbol over there, but it's soccer here. Every day at four o'clock, we'd go on the court and play soccer.
"Before this season, our team would go running on the track, and the women's soccer team also would be at practice. On the side, I would play around with the soccer ball. My teammates would say, 'Oh, you played soccer.' I would have to tell them that I had played soccer before."
Cisse played right wing and enjoyed the sport with his friends.
"I was pretty good at soccer," Cisse said. "It was fun. I miss it, miss it a lot. I have a lot of friends over there, and it's pretty cool."
The sports switch to hoops occurred when Cisse was around 12 years old. It was his brother that got him interested in scoring the ball in a different goal.
"One day my brother, who was visiting from Canada, told me I needed to start playing basketball," said Cisse. "That's how I picked up basketball.
"At first, I wasn't really interested. Back home, basketball is not as big as it is here. Everybody at home loves soccer. I didn't take basketball seriously until my brother came and started training me, showing me videos. I started liking it."
As Cisse's basketball interest grew, his brother encouraged him to move to the United States. Cisse's mother also urged him to go to the U.S. for another reason.
"It was more about having better schools here," said Cisse, who attended St. Bendict's Prep and Christ the King Regional High School in New York City area. "My mom always talked about going to school. My brother also told me I could go to school and play basketball. He told me I could be a student-athlete. When I got to the United States, that's what I focused on."
After a couple of years in New York City, Cisse moved to Memphis and enrolled at Lausanne Collegiate School, where he helped lead the Lynx to a state championship. His main reason for the move: remain focused on his goal.
"It was a move that kept me focused (on basketball)," Cisse said. "In New York, there's a lot of things going on that can distract you. Everywhere in New York is so far away from each other; my cousin lived two hours from my house. I had to take a train every time to visit him. Here in Memphis, there are things to do, but not a lot of places to go. That helps me stay focused."
Let's learn more about Cisse:
One word that best describes me is … Fun
If I had a super power, it would be … Time travel
The best thing about Memphis is … The food – especially the wings – and the people. Everybody is so generous.
If I didn't play basketball (or soccer), I'd … Run track (sprints). One time when my brother came back home to train me, he said I had to start running track, and it would help my basketball skills. He started training me on the track, and it was pretty cool.
My Favorite Things
Athlete … LeBron James
Sports team … Real Madrid (I watched a lot of soccer growing up) 🇪🇸
Color(s) … Blue, black
Candy … Gummy bears
Emoji … Praying hands 🙏🏿
Ice cream … Cookies 'n cream 🍨
Midnight snack … Twix ice cream
Holiday … Thanksgiving 🦃
Movie … Friday
Toy as a kid … Cars 🏎️
Players Mentioned
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