 He moved to the United States from Mali in 1998, and studied at Montgomery Catholic High School in Montgomery, Alabama, U.S., where he and his teammates won the 2A State Championship.In his first appearance as a Catholic Knight, he broke the Alabama High School Athletic Association's record for blocked shots in the first half against Horseshoe Bend.In his sophomore season in high school he posted averages of 20 points, 15 rebounds and 9 blocks per game.