“Anybody on this basketball team can score,” the 6-foot-11 center from Senegal said. “We need somebody to do the dirty work. We need somebody to do the little things to help the team win.”

He is the type of player coach Rick Pitino knew was pertinent to a successful program. Selfless. Committed.

“I love Gorgui so much,” Pitino said. “Because we’re not a humble society, athletes today. The Africans are so humble and so hungry. It’s just so much fun coaching him because he’s a throwback.”