WEST PLAINS, Mo. – Jared Phay, head coach of the Missouri State University-West Plains (MSU-WP) Grizzly Basketball team, has signed Lionel Kumwimba for the 2023-2024 season.
A native of the Republic of the Congo, the 6-foot, 8-inch forward played for Athletes In Action (AIA) Prep in Xenia, Ohio, during its inaugural season last season. Kumwimba played a significant role in the team’s successful 24-9 campaign against some of the nation’s best prep schools, Phay said. He turned in several impressive performances, recording double-doubles in scoring and rebounding, Phay added.
“Lionel is a great addition for us,” Phay said. “He gives us something that we have been missing. He is a big, strong athletic guy who will really help us on the court. And as a person, I know our campus and community will love being around him!”
Kumwimba, who moved to the United States when he was 15, played at Dunbar High School in Lexington, Kentucky, before joining AIA.
Phay said Kumwimba received several collegiate offers before choosing MSU-WP.
For more information about the Grizzly Basketball program, visit MSUWPGrizzlies.com.
Missouri State University-West Plains empowers students to achieve personal success and to enrich their local and global communities by providing accessible, affordable and quality educational opportunities. Missouri State-West Plains offers associate degrees and credit and non-credit courses and serves as a delivery site for bachelor’s and master’s degrees offered by Missouri State University in Springfield.
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