UTEP Men’s basketball coach Joe Golding has been busy filling out the roster adding transfers during the offseason, adding four brand-new players so far to their roster since he was announced as head coach.
Golding began his search for talent early May when he added Blinn College transfer Bonke Maring. Maring is a 6-foot-10 forward from Cypress, Texas, he signed a letter of intent to play for the Miners in early May, giving him three years of eligibility to play.
Maring has played in 21 games and was named the All-Region XIV conference second team. Maring averaged 12.6 points per game, eight rebounds, 40% effort on threes and has shot 62.9% from the field. Maring has also shot 71.7% from the free throw line and has a total of five double-doubles.
According to a quote from UTEP Athletics, coach Joe Golding says, “Bonke gives us a great inside presence and is immediately ready to play with his size, strength and girth.”
The next addition to the Men’s basketball team is Ranger College transfer Jorell Saterfield. Saterfield is a 6-foot-4 guard/forward from Chicago, Illinois, he has also signed a letter of intent to play for the Miners in late May, also giving him three years of eligibility to play.
Saterfield has played in 27 games during the 2020-2021 season, averaged 18 points per game and was named the 2021 NJCCA All-Tournament team. Saterfield averaged 5.8 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game and has shot 52% from the field. In a game against Texas Christian college Saterfield scored a career-high of 30 points.
“Jorell is a fantastic player,” a quote from UTEP Athletics of Golding on Saterfield. “He can score the ball multiple ways and can really defend.”
Kezza Giffa was the third player Golding signed in late May. Giffa is 6-foot-2 lefty point guard from Paris, France, he has signed a National Letter of Intent to play for the Miners, giving him four years of eligibility to play.
Giffa’s father Sacha Giffa is also known for his basketball skills, as he played two decades of professional basketball in the Euro League. Sacha Giffa also served as a coach for the New York Knicks summer league staff in 2017.
Giffa played in 13 games with the Levallois Metropolitans and averaged 17.8 points per game. Giffa led in scoring and assists, he had 49 assists, 41 rebounds and 14 steals. Giffa has 46.7 points from the floor. In a game against Roanne U21 Giffa scored a career-high of 26 points.
“Kezza’s a lefty point guard who sees the floor extremely well and he’s a high-level passer,” a quote from UTEP Athletics of Golding on Giffa. “He’s got great basketball IQ, and we think he can be an elite defender.”
Golding’s most heralded transfer happened June 10 when UTEP announced the signing of top 100 prep recruit and Georgetown forward Jamari Sibley. Standing 6–8 from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Sibley will have four years of eligibility to play for the Miners.
Sibley played in 21 games as a freshman while at Georgetown. While playing limited minutes, Sibley had a total of 25 points and 19 rebounds in 116 minutes of playing time. Sibley hit 46.7% from the field with a pair of 3-pointers. Sibley also has a total of two steals and two blocked shots.
As an alumnus of the legendary Oak Hill Academy in Mouth of Wilson, Virginia which has produced 38 NBA players including Kevin Durant, Rajon Rondo, Carmelo Anthony and Jerry Stackhouse, Sibley scored a total of 19.1 points per game and 59% shooting from the floor as a senior.
“We are very excited that Jamari has chosen to continue his basketball career at UTEP, said Golding. “He’s a very talented young man who can change the game on both sides of the floor.”
Story, Information, and quotes courtesy of UTEP Athletics. https://utepminers.com/sports/mens-basketball/archives?search=&sport=mbball&season=0
Katrina Villarreal may be reached at [email protected].
