Issue date: 2/9/10 Section: Minority Today

Senior center Ousmane Cisse throws an outlet pass against Southeast Missouri Jan. 9 in Lantz Arena. The two seniors have been key contributors for the men's basketball team. This is Cisse's fourth year and Suljic's second.(Amir Prellberg/Minority Today)

Senior forward Edin Suljic practices free throws Jan. 25 in Lantz Arena.(Amir Prellberg/Minority Today)

Recruiting international players is difficult and often more expensive, but two members of Eastern's basketball team fall under that category.

Ousmane Cisse, a senior center on the Eastern men's basketball team, lived in Adbidjan, Ivory Coast.

Cisse said the nation is small and simple.

"People are very nice," Cisse said. "I love my country."

Cisses' father, a Muslim, had Ousmane attend an Arabic school. During that time Ousmane learned Arabic and read the Quran. His father influenced Ousmane's interest in athletics as a youngster. Cisse said he played soccer and basketball but his father encouraged him to pursue basketball after he grew taller.

Cisse came to America in October 2004 to play basketball for the Community Christian School in Atlanta, which had only 150 students.

A student exchange program made Cisse's immigration to America possible. He stayed with his host parents Ron and Brenda Miller. He said adjusting was difficult. Cisse said leaving his entire family behind and keeping in contact with them was very difficult.

"I have a very big family," he said.

Cisse said his mother had six children.

"In Africa, a family is not just your mom and your brothers - it is cousins, uncles and everything," Cisse said.

Cisse said each month he spends a $100 on international phone calls just to talk to family.

The most difficult part of living in America is not seeing them every day, he said.

Cisse said learning English was not easy since his primary language is French.

"It took six months for me to learn," he said.

Cisse said can he can also speak Malinke and Arabic.

In high school, Cisse said the majority of basketball players were international students from countries including; Nigeria, Canada, Holland and Russia.

Cisse said his playing improved immensely, his senior season seeing top averages of 14 points per game, 15 rebounds per game and four blocks a game.

Kansas State was Cisses' first commitment but he decided against going there. Next, Cisse tried Northeastern in Boston but did not because of the basketball coach's departure.

Mike Miller, Eastern's head coach, talked to Cisse and offered him a scholarship.

"I was in the middle of not knowing what school I was going to," Cisse said. "I got a call from Coach Miller asking me about future plans. So I gave myself a week to think about it, and then I signed here."

Cisse has become a defender that is rated the fifth highest rebounder in Eastern's program history with 733 boards.

Cisse will receive a bachelor's degree in accounting and hopes in the near future to get his MBA.

Cisse said he wants to return to the Ivory Coast and be reunited with his family.

Edin Suljic, a senior forward on the Eastern men's basketball team, left Bosnia with his immediate family in December 2001.

Suljic said part of the reason for leaving was the continued fighting after the Bosnian War.

"(The war) was still going on until 1995, but the country was still in poor condition and recovering," he said.

Suljic said his family moved to Des Moines, Iowa.

"It was different learning a new language and culture of a new school," Suljic said.

Suljic said he learned basketball in Bosnia and expanded his skills in America.

At Des Moines Roosevelt High School, Suljic played for the junior varsity team before moving onto varsity.

"I played (the) point guard position to start with," Suljic said.

Suljic played at Ellsworth Community College averaging 15.1 points per game.

He attended a junior college shootout event in April 2008 to show off his talent.

After the shootout Suljic said he received a call from Miller.

Suljic said he decided to attend Eastern.

"I think Eastern is more challenging then community college," he said.

Suljic said eventually he wants to play professionally in Europe and perform like his favorite player Manu Ginóbili. Suljic will graduate in fall 2010 with a bachelor's degree in sociology.

This season, Suljic has been a starting forward for the Eastern basketball team and has averaged 5.7 ppg and 3.3 rpg.

Miller said Cisse and Suljic add to the team.

"Both of them have a great work ethic," he said.

Miller said both players give a good effort everyday.

"They've been valuable members to our team," he said.

Bob Bajek can be reached at 581-7942 or rtbajek@eiu.edu.

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