The Unlikely Fortune of How Aziz Bandaogo Ended Up in Orem
A family situation, transfer portal luck, and a trip around the world.
If you know Utah Valley head coach Mark Madsen, you know he puts his family above everything else.
With three kids under the age of six and a fourth child on the way, Madsen puts his wife Hannah and the kids first.
Madsen’s family might have played the biggest role in Utah Valley winning a program-record 28 games and a WAC regular season title in 2022-23.
You see, most coaches attend the Final Four. There are various radio broadcasts where they are the analysts. There are coaching conventions and socials. It’s an opportunity to get together with colleagues and enjoy a weekend together.
However, sometimes a coach chooses not to attend, even when there are multiple requests to be an analyst.
Mark Madsen was one of those coaches that chose not to attend.
“I cancelled my trip two days before because I wanted to be home with my wife and little ones.”
It comes as no surprise Madsen chose his family over the Final Four. Let’s face it, with travel, and the grind of a 31-game season, it makes sense that staying home with the family is the top priority.
However, staying at home gave Madsen an opportunity to jump in the transfer portal periodically. Being the only UVU coach in the office on that Final Four weekend, Madsen was looking at the portal.
It was at that moment Utah Valley’s 2022-23 season came together.
Mark Madsen and his staff had to replace All-WAC selection and WAC Defensive Player of the Year Fardaws Aimaq who had entered the transfer portal.
You remember Aimaq, right? ‘Big Maple’ as he was called averaged 16.9 points and 14.2 rebounds in his two seasons in Orem.
Aimaq won WAC Player of the Year honors in 2020-21 after leading Utah Valley to a share of the WAC regular season title. Aimaq also won WAC Defensive Player of the Year honors.
The following season, Aimaq won WAC Defensive Player of the Year honors on a 20-win Utah Valley squad.
So, Madsen had quite the void to fill.
Perhaps it was a coincidence. Maybe Mark Madsen had an inkling. Whatever the reason was, it may go down in Utah Valley history as the best decision ever.
While looking at the portal, a name popped up. A name that Mark Madsen knew.
Aziz Bandaogo.
“Aziz pops up and I immediately reached out.”
Bandaogo is a 7-foot center at Akron at the time. During his time at Akron, Bandaogo averaged 1.2 blocks, 3.3 rebounds and 3.2 points per contest.
That wasn’t something Madsen was concerned about. Just look at what Aimaq did at Mercer before being recruited to Orem.
Aimaq averaged 5.0 points and 5.3 rebounds per contest.
So, Madsen has a way of finding a diamond in the rough.
“We couldn’t bring him to Orem. But, we could go out and visit with him off campus. So, we flew to Akron and spoke with him.”
During that visit, Madsen learned that Bandaogo’s family and former coaches in Senegal were advising him on where to play.
It was at that moment Madsen made the decision to fly halfway across the globe.
“We told Aziz we wanted to fly to Senegal to meet with his family and coaches,” Madsen said. “So I called Roland Houston who runs the NBA Academy in Africa and asked if he could set things up for us to visit.”
Madsen and assistant coach Todd Okeson made the 5,700-mile trek and met with Bandaogo’s family.
“I had been to North Africa and Tunisia but never to Senegal,” Madsen said. “One of the best experiences of my life.”
The big thing for Bandaogo’s family was making sure he got the right opportunity to showcase his skill.
“They wanted to make sure he would have the opportunity to play significant minutes. I told them I never promise a player a starting role as it kills the competitive process. I let them know he has a special and unique talent and that I came all the way to Africa because I believe in him.”
Well, that trip in May was part of scratching a surface that not many outside the UVU locker room saw coming.
“The trip was worth it and we are just scratching the surface of how good he can become,” Madsen told the family.
Scratching the surface may be the understatement of the year.
During WAC media days in October, Trey Woodbury, who was roommates with Fardaws Aimaq, had this to say about Bandaogo.
“Aziz is a freak. No offense to Daws, but Aziz is just crazy with his length and athleticism. He’s gonna be really, really good.”
Yes, Trey, you were right. Aziz has been really, really good for the Wolverines.
Reverse alley-oop dunks have become the norm in Orem. Blocking shots and rebounding have also been on the menu.
In his first season in Orem, Bandaogo smashed the single-season record for blocked shots.
Emmanuel Olojakpoke held the record with 81 in 2019-20. Bandaogo has 104 blocks in 2022-23 and there is at least one more game to play, possibly a second game.
Along those lines, Bandaogo filled the void left by Aimaq quite nicely for Madsen and his staff. Bandaogo has started all 36 games, played a little over 29 minutes per game and averaged 11.5 points and 10.2 rebounds per contest.
The Wolverines take on UAB in the NIT semifinals on Tuesday at Orleans Arena.
Aziz Bandaogo is a big reason why the Wolverines are the lone WAC team still playing in 2022-23.
All because a coach chose to stay home with his family instead of going to the Final Four.