Bronx Sports: Three former Mustangs go pro!

Bandoumel, Nared, and Dezouvre to play in Europe

By Gary Axelbank

BRONX, NEW YORK, September 7- Three Monroe Mustangs greats have signed on to continue their careers as professional basketball players in Europe.

Djim Bandoumel will be playing for Forca Lleida in Spain, Tyrone Nared will be in Germany with the UBC Tigers Hannover, and Randy Dezouvre has signed with BC Aarhus in Denmark. All three played together on Monroe's 2010 national tournament team before continuing their college careers in the NCAA.

“These players embody the opportunity that is Monroe Mustangs basketball,” said Coach Jeff Brustad of his team that is one of only eight to have participated in three consecutive NJCAA national tournaments in the last 22 years. “Many young athletes have dreams of playing professional ball and don't know how to realize them. But Djim, Ty, and Randy showed that it can be done if they start out as Mustangs.”

Bandoumel, a 6 foot 8 French Canadian, was a strong inside player and shot blocker who emerged as a team leader at Monroe. In his sophomore year, Djim averaged 9.8 points, 6.1 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game and helped lead the Mustangs to a 29-8 overall record, Region 15 and District III titles, and a seventh-place finish at the national tournament.

He then went on to star at the University of Idaho, averaging 7.4 ppg and 4.5 rpg in his two years there.

The 6 foot 6 Nared, who hails from Woonsocket Rhode Island, made a name for himself with a 2010 playoff run that culminated in a remarkable post season performance and an exclamation point in the final game of the national tournament when he banged home five three-pointers to propel Monroe to victory. It was a stunning moment for a big, front-line player.

At the University of Oregon he also showed flashes of brilliance, even making ESPN's top-ten highlights of the day for his trademark put-back dunk, which was the first-ever dunk on opening night of the Matthew Knight Arena. Nared also got UO's first-ever block and three-pointer in their new home.

At Monroe the 6 foot 4 Dezouvre showed flashes of brilliance, emerging as a vital cog on that 2009-10 Mustang team, averaging 11.1 ppg, 5.24 rpg, and shooting 70.6% from the free throw line. But it was in the national tournament that Dezouvre really proved his mettle, providing dynamic hustle and a never-say-die approach that inspired his team. He averaged 13.5 ppg, 3.75 rpg, and shot 84.6 percent from the charity stripe in the nationals.

He also starred for Iona where the Montreal native became known for making big plays at big times.

Dezouvre will be playing in BC Aarhus, which is Denmark's second largest city. Aarhus competes in Denmark's Ligaen, the country's top division. He is the lone North American on the roster for the upcoming season.

“Each of these three were great players for Monroe. They were good students and solid citizens who were not afraid to put their work in. Now they're reaping the rewards of all that work,” said Coach Brustad. “We are proud of them and proud of our basketball program for giving them the foundation to make their hoop dreams come true.”