The LA Lakers acquired center Mo Bamba from the Orlando Magic at the trade deadline in a four-team deal involving Denver and the LA Clippers. Leg five is expected to provide some much-needed space for the Lakers’ front. However, not many fans know much about the great man’s personal life. So, on that note, here’s some background information on one of the newest members of the Lakers.
Mo Bamba’s life before the NBA
Mohamed Karlakwan Damala Bamba, also known as Mo Bamba, was born on May 12, 1998 in Harlem, New York to parents Lancine Bamba and Aminata Johnson. Bamba’s parents emigrated from the Ivory Coast. Meanwhile, his grandparents were born in Mali.
Bamba has two brothers and three sisters, although he has never met two of his sisters. Her brother Sidiki Johnson was a college basketball player at Arizona, Providence and the Wabash Valley. Meanwhile, her brother Ibrahim Johnson played college basketball at Farmingdale State and Montevallo.
Bamba started playing basketball at the age of six. He later attended Westtown School in Westtown, Pennsylvania, where he was a standout high school basketball player. This led to Bamba being selected to play in the 2017 McDonald’s All-American Game, as well as the Nike Hoop Summit.
Bamba’s good play in high school also earned him a five-star rating as a recruit. He received offers from top schools like Kentucky, Duke, Texas, and Michigan before finally deciding to attend the University of Texas at Austin.
Bamba played one season in Texas in the 2017-2018 season. He averaged 12.9 points, 10.5 rebounds and 3.7 blocks per game on 54.1% shooting in 30 games. Bamba’s strong play earned him a spot on the Big 12 All-Newcomer Team and All-Defensive Team. He was also named to the All-Big 12 Second Team.
Mo Bamba’s NBA career so far
After his one season in college, Bamba declared for the 2018 NBA Draft. He was selected sixth overall by the Orlando Magic. Most agree that Bamba still hasn’t lived up to his high draft pick. However, he can still build a solid career as a backup center who can protect the rim and space the floor. This earned him a two-year, $21 million deal with the Magic last offseason before being traded to Los Angeles.
In 266 games over five seasons with Orlando, Bamba averaged 7.7 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 1.4 bpg and 0.9 3pg. He shot 47.7% and 36.0% from deep.
Through two games with the Lakers, Bamba is averaging 7.0 ppg, 9.5 rpg, 1.5 bpg and 1.0 3pg on 33.3% shooting.
Mo Bamba’s personal life
As for his personal life, Bamba, 24, has been linked to a woman named Ibby Fischer, according to certain reports and publications. She apparently resides in Shanghai, and the couple are reportedly in a long-distance relationship. However, nothing on this matter has been personally confirmed by Mo Bamba himself or his representatives, so it will not be accurate to label Fischer as his partner based on mere speculation.
Putting his personal life aside and looking at his earnings, Bamba’s career net worth is estimated to be around $5 million as of 2023. Bamba has been known to use part of his earnings for charity. This includes work done through his foundation, “The Mo Bamba Foundation.” In August, Bamba inaugurated a new basketball facility at SOS Village Abobo-Gare in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. The facility was created to serve more than 200 children daily.
So despite his NBA success, Bamba has stayed true to his family roots and made sure to give back to those in need.
“I was born and raised in Harlem, but we’ve always had that strong African background. We never strayed from who we really were as people,” Bamba said.
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