Georgia Southern Basketball Welcomes Transfer Guard Jefferson Koulibaly to the Team!

STATESBORO – The men’s basketball team has welcomed a new guard to the roster, 6’3 Jefferson Koulibaly, who previously played at Pacific. Head coach Charlie Henry announced the signing.

Koulibaly, originally from LaSalle, Montreal, has an interesting journey through college basketball. Before joining Statesboro, he played for Washington State and SMU. Last season with the Pacific Tigers, he participated in 31 of 33 games, averaging 6.4 points and 2.2 rebounds. He was consistent, hitting double digits in scoring 10 times, with a standout performance of 15 points against Portland State.

Defensively, he shined against his former team, Washington State, racking up six steals in a single game. This was the highest number of steals recorded by any Tigers player that season.

His college career has been marked by academic success as well. In 2022-23, he made the American Conference All-Academic Team. While at SMU, he averaged 1.6 points and 0.9 rebounds in an injury-shortened season, showcasing his resilience and determination to contribute.

Koulibaly had an impressive high school career at Lincoln Prep in Canada, where he averaged nearly 28 points per game in his senior year. He also represented Canada internationally, participating in the FIBA U16 Championships.

In a fun twist, Koulibaly will be the first player in Georgia Southern history to wear number 9 and the first from Canada since at least the 2013-14 season. His unique background and experiences could bring a fresh perspective and energy to the team.

As basketball becomes increasingly global, Koulibaly’s journey reflects the growing trend of international players making their mark in U.S. colleges. This diversity not only enriches the game but also inspires young athletes worldwide.



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