FILE PHOTO/Arizona Daily Wildcat Freshman forward Mohammad Tangara takes a jump shot during Arizona's win over Sonoma State in McKale Center in November. Tangara redshirted this season because of an early-season back injury.

Freshman Tangara battles learning curve in first season at UA

It wasn't easy having to redshirt through a season when your team goes to the Elite Eight. It especially wasn't easy for freshman forward Mohamed Tangara, who had to battle a nagging back injury and a new environment.

With the season completed, Tangara is looking forward to the future, and it looks to be a bright one for the 6-foot-9 big man from Bamako, Mali.

"I've learned a lot since the decision to redshirt," Tangara said.

Tangara still faces some pain, and the coaching staff and head trainer Justin Kokoskie are always concerned about his physical progress, monitoring his status even during a workout in McKale Center yesterday.

By all accounts though, his shooting and his movement are drastically better since the gradual improvement of his back.

"We're just trying to take it slow, but now is the time to catch up because the season is over," Tangara said.

After working with assistant coach Josh Pastner on a variety of moves, including right- and left-handed hook shots to go along with drop steps, Tangara stepped out to show his range, hitting more than 85 percent of his free throws before stepping even farther and swishing in some 3-pointers.

Before Tangara was ever able to hear the sound of a basketball going through the net, he was growing up in Africa dabbling in soccer like many other African basketball stars in their childhood. Tangara was not infatuated with soccer, and he quickly picked up basketball.

"People were always saying, 'You have long arms, you should play basketball, you should play basketball.'" Tangara said. "So I just started trying."

Tangara watched tapes of Michael Jordan and Vince Carter, as well as former Houston Rockets legend Hakeem Olajuwon, with whom Tangara could relate.

"From him, I learned a lot, taking an example for myself, coming up in different country. Coming up with a dream and in the end the dream became true. Every time I watch him, I hope the same thing happens to me," he said.

The dream started out at Mt. Zion Christian Academy where Tangara first burst onto the national hoops scene.

He averaged 13 points per game and also adjusted to the American culture. He even earned best defensive player honors at the NBA camp in the summer of 2003.

When he came to Arizona, the lifestyle and culture wasn't as different as he expected.

"I thought it would be different, but it wasn't different," he said. "It's something to experience, to come here. I've met a lot of people and everyone has been so nice to me."

Just like every other player, Tangara faces the task of doing schoolwork while traveling with the team.

While undecided about his major, Tangara has grown to overcome the language barrier and deal with everyday student-athlete issues.

"The first semester was good, but the second semester has been tough, so I'm trying to keep up with it," he said.

Meanwhile, Tangara's family is back at home, and being away from them for a long period of time has sometimes taken its toll.

Early in the year, Tangara sent food money, given to student-athletes, home to his family. The coaching staff quickly realized the situation and put a halt on the process, but the unselfishness in his personality was easily recognized.

"He's a true gentleman and an amazing young man," Pastner said. "We're very fortunate that he's here because he's a special person, and we're going to see great things from him."

Tangara speaks with his family more often now, talking to them about once every two weeks over the phone.

"They tell me to stay focused," he said. "They say my time is here and not there, and I'm going to benefit."

Though it is difficult, Tangara believes it is a natural maturing process that he has to experience.

"It's been tough, but being a man, starting to become a man, you just have to take it," Tangara said. "It's very hard sometimes. I always think about it, being away from my family, missing them, being in a tough situation. But one day, there will be a result."

Next season, Tangara will be doing less sitting and spending more time on the court.

"He's made tremendous progress. The kid is like a sponge," Pastner said. "He wants to absorb as much knowledge and information as possible."