May 16, 2011
The St. Joseph Notre Dame Pilots were able to cap a 27-9 season with a state title. A main reason for that was due to 6-foot-10 senior Brendan Keane who will be heading to Northern Colorado. Replacing that size will not be easy, but the Pilots will look to 6-foot-5 and 195 pound Temidayo Yussuf.
This 2014 wing is a diverse player who can do a variety of things on the court. Depending on how tall he grows, he can either be an interior or exterior player. He models his game after Amar'e Stoudemire because he is agile and strong and can do anything within 20 feet of the basket.
During this summer, he will be playing with his Oakland Rebels club team. He plans on working on his guard skills and quickness to be a more complete player.
Rebels Coach Raymond Young says about Yussuf's development, "Temidayo's strengths on the court are his ability to play multiple positions and his leadership. Tim understands that hard work will get him where he wants to be, and is willing to do the work. At practice and in games, he is a hard worker and plays hard all the time. Off the court he gets along well with his peers and teammates. He is a humble guy."
Yussuf spoke to his Pilot coach Don Lippi about his role next season. Yussuf says, "Coach Lippi told me that I'm gonna play in and out. So, it's like if I get a rebound, then I can just push it down the court and I can also run the offense myself. And if I get a few more inches, I will also play the post."
His plans for next year are to go back to state and repeat as title winners for the Pilots. He wants to attend a college that is a championship contender and also a school that can use his skills instead of leaving him on the bench. He wants a college that has a family atmosphere and that does things together on and off the court.
Coach Young says about Yussuf's college potential, "With continued hard work, the sky is the limit for Temidayo. He is currently weight training with coach Eggleton at Ants Mind & Body to get stronger and working on his fundamentals in the gym. Tim has the ability to finish around the rim, take guys off the dribble, or hit the mid range shot. Most importantly, Temidayo holds a 3.2 GPA. Tim will make some division one program very happy in the future."
Temidayo, name in the Nigerian Yoruban dialect, means to bring joy to others. If Yussuf lives up to his name, then he will definitely bring much joy to his Pilot fan base in Alameda. And then after high school, he should bring much joy to his future college suitor.
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