University of Memphis Athletics
Photo by: Matthew A. Smith
Mulrooney Announces 2023 Signing Class
Nov 21, 2022 | Men's Soccer
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Memphis Tiger head men's soccer coach Richard Mulrooney has announced his initial 2023 signing class, with more to be announced in the next couple of weeks, in Giorgos Kondylis, Elie Bokota, Anders Bordoy, Abdou Samb, JD Gunn and Kodai Tanaka.
Kondylis, a 5-11 midfielder from Limassol, Cyprus, comes to Memphis after representing Cyprus from the U14-U19 levels.
Bokota, a 5-11 midfielder from Atlanta, Ga., comes to Memphis after playing at Louisiana State University at Eunice where he was named a 2021 NJCAA First Team All-American as well as earning an NJCAA All-Tournament honor. Bokota prepped at Clarkston High School where he was named as the Most Valuable Player in the 2018-19 season and claimed the Player of the Year award in 2019.
"Elie is a dynamic, explosive and exciting player on the ball who can play in multiple positions centrally or out wide," said Mulrooney. "He brings a fluidity and creative ability on the ball as well as a playmaking ability to get past players and create dangerous chances for himself as well as others around him."
Bordoy, a 6-0 midfielder from New Kensington, Pa., comes to Memphis after an outstanding prep career at Kiski Area High School. He was an All-WPIAL AAA selection in the 2020 and 2021 seasons, was named as the Class 3A, Section 1 Player of the year during the 2021 season and was a WPSCA All-State selection in 2022. Bordoy was also selected to the Id2 National Team back in 2018.
"Anders is a player we are incredibly excited to have join us. He was scouted over several events last year and impressed us in all facets of his game as well as his professional demeanor. He has been in a professional training environment for several years and brings that professional attitude and demeanor to the way he prepares himself and is something that will allow him to find immediate success," said Mulrooney.
"I am honored and blessed that the coaching staff at the University of Memphis has given me the opportunity to continue my academic and athletic career," said Bordoy. "I am extremely excited to get started!"
Samb, a 6-4 defender/midfielder from Dakar, Senegal, comes to Memphis after playing at Otero College. Samb prepped at Northwood High School while playing club ball with Black Rock FC out of Great Barrington, Mass.
"With college experience already under his belt, we believe Abdou is going to come in and contribute right away," said Mulrooney. "On the field, he has the versatility to play on the backline as well as the midfield with his technical and tactical abilities and, on top of that, he has the size and athleticism to make it difficult for opposing players deal with him on and off the ball."
Gunn, a 6-5 goalkeeper from Panama City, Panama, comes to Memphis after spending the past four seasons at Biola University. While there, the graduate transfer was named to the All-PacWest Second Team twice while helping to lead the team to their first ever NCAA West Regional during the 2021 season. Gunn recorded 181 saves in 51 appearances.
Gunn prepped at Wheaton Academy where he was named to three all-conference teams, two all-sectional teams and was an All-State performer.
"JD comes from of the top D2 programs in the country this year and brings an incredible wealth of experience and success to our program. His size, experience, and leadership should put him in a position to compete for a significant role right off the bat," said Mulrooney.
Tanaka, a 5-7 midfielder from Tokyo, Japan, comes to Memphis after two seasons at Southwestern Christian University where he recorded eight goals and three assists in 36 appearances. Tanaka was also part of team that was crowned the Chiba Ken League Division I champions.
"Kodai is a special player that has proven collegiate experience and success," said Mulrooney. "He is a game changing player with the ability to do so out of multiple positions on the field, as well as a hunger for success that will help lead others. We expect him to have an immediate impact this spring and will provide a lot of flexibility in systems and tactics."
How to follow the Tigers: For complete information on Memphis Tigers Soccer, visit www.GoTigersGo.com and follow the team's social media channels on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
Kondylis, a 5-11 midfielder from Limassol, Cyprus, comes to Memphis after representing Cyprus from the U14-U19 levels.
Bokota, a 5-11 midfielder from Atlanta, Ga., comes to Memphis after playing at Louisiana State University at Eunice where he was named a 2021 NJCAA First Team All-American as well as earning an NJCAA All-Tournament honor. Bokota prepped at Clarkston High School where he was named as the Most Valuable Player in the 2018-19 season and claimed the Player of the Year award in 2019.
"Elie is a dynamic, explosive and exciting player on the ball who can play in multiple positions centrally or out wide," said Mulrooney. "He brings a fluidity and creative ability on the ball as well as a playmaking ability to get past players and create dangerous chances for himself as well as others around him."
Bordoy, a 6-0 midfielder from New Kensington, Pa., comes to Memphis after an outstanding prep career at Kiski Area High School. He was an All-WPIAL AAA selection in the 2020 and 2021 seasons, was named as the Class 3A, Section 1 Player of the year during the 2021 season and was a WPSCA All-State selection in 2022. Bordoy was also selected to the Id2 National Team back in 2018.
"Anders is a player we are incredibly excited to have join us. He was scouted over several events last year and impressed us in all facets of his game as well as his professional demeanor. He has been in a professional training environment for several years and brings that professional attitude and demeanor to the way he prepares himself and is something that will allow him to find immediate success," said Mulrooney.
"I am honored and blessed that the coaching staff at the University of Memphis has given me the opportunity to continue my academic and athletic career," said Bordoy. "I am extremely excited to get started!"
Samb, a 6-4 defender/midfielder from Dakar, Senegal, comes to Memphis after playing at Otero College. Samb prepped at Northwood High School while playing club ball with Black Rock FC out of Great Barrington, Mass.
"With college experience already under his belt, we believe Abdou is going to come in and contribute right away," said Mulrooney. "On the field, he has the versatility to play on the backline as well as the midfield with his technical and tactical abilities and, on top of that, he has the size and athleticism to make it difficult for opposing players deal with him on and off the ball."
Gunn, a 6-5 goalkeeper from Panama City, Panama, comes to Memphis after spending the past four seasons at Biola University. While there, the graduate transfer was named to the All-PacWest Second Team twice while helping to lead the team to their first ever NCAA West Regional during the 2021 season. Gunn recorded 181 saves in 51 appearances.
Gunn prepped at Wheaton Academy where he was named to three all-conference teams, two all-sectional teams and was an All-State performer.
"JD comes from of the top D2 programs in the country this year and brings an incredible wealth of experience and success to our program. His size, experience, and leadership should put him in a position to compete for a significant role right off the bat," said Mulrooney.
Tanaka, a 5-7 midfielder from Tokyo, Japan, comes to Memphis after two seasons at Southwestern Christian University where he recorded eight goals and three assists in 36 appearances. Tanaka was also part of team that was crowned the Chiba Ken League Division I champions.
"Kodai is a special player that has proven collegiate experience and success," said Mulrooney. "He is a game changing player with the ability to do so out of multiple positions on the field, as well as a hunger for success that will help lead others. We expect him to have an immediate impact this spring and will provide a lot of flexibility in systems and tactics."
How to follow the Tigers: For complete information on Memphis Tigers Soccer, visit www.GoTigersGo.com and follow the team's social media channels on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
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