Talented big man whose freshman season was limited to nine games due to an
NCAA suspension ... still managed to earn Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Week honors
once in the five weeks he was eligible ... is the Dukes' top returning rebounder at 5.9
rpg. ... played just two years of competitive basketball prior to enrolling at Duquesne.
As a Freshman (2001-02)
Saw his freshman season interrupted by an NCAA suspension that sidelined him
for 19 games ... the suspension, which was announced on Dec. 28, was for receiving
benefits while in high school prior to his recruitment by, and signing with Duquesne
... started and scored in double digits in three of DU's first five games before being
voluntarily held out of action by the university prior to the UNC Wilmington game
on Dec. 8 ... was able to practice with the team, but could not return to the court
until Feb. 19 at La Salle ... in his first game back, he scored a team- and season-high
17 points at La Salle to earn A-10 Rookie of the Week honors ... also added six rebounds
vs. the Explorers ... finished the season by registering his first career doubledouble
with 10 points and 11 rebounds vs. St. Bonaventure in the Atlantic 10 Tournament
... began the season with 16 points vs. Maryland-Eastern Shore, 15 vs. Vermont
and 10 at Ohio ... scored in double digits in five of the nine games he played ...
shot 41.9 percent from the field, 36.4 percent from the three-point arc (4-of-11) and
73.9 percent (17-of-23) from the free throw line ... averaged a team-high 30.7 minutes
per game ... blocked nine shots in nine games ... started the season-opener along
with Aly Samabaly marking the first time a Duquesne team began a season with two
freshmen in the starting lineup since Fitzgerald Bobo and Emmett Sellers started
against Indiana (Pa.) in head coach Jim Satalin's first game at Duquesne on Nov. 28,
1982.
High School
The Masters School in Dobbs Ferry, N.Y. (head coach Dominic Malandro) ... averaged
19.0 points, 10.0 rebounds and 3.0 blocks in 18 games at The Masters School
... was ranked as high as No. 12 among the nation's top senior center prospects by a
number of recruiting services ... attended the Berkshire School in Homestead, Fla., as
a junior where he averaged 19.0 points and 11.0 rebounds in his first season of organized
basketball.
Personal
Was born and raised in Yaoundé, the capital of Cameroon ... is the oldest of five
children ... speaks three languages: Bamoun, a tribal French dialect, French and English
... did not play basketball until the age of 13 ... played soccer, volleyball and
handball as a youth ... came to the United States in November 1999 ... originally
committed to UNLV prior to his senior season, before a coaching change there made
him reconsider ... was re-recruited by Georgia Tech, USC and Michigan as well as
Duquesne ... interests include television, movies, technology, music and "enjoying
life" ... earned a spot on the 2001-02 Atlantic 10 Commissioner's Honor Roll ... has
also been named to the DU Director of Athletics Honor Roll ... international business
major ... full name is Simplice Nvut Njoya ... his middle name is the first name of his
grandmother on his father's side ... date of birth: 8/14/81.
Career High for Simplice Njoya
| Points | 17, at La Salle
| Rebounds | 11, vs. St. Bonaventure (A-10 Tournament)
| Assists | 2, three times
| Blocks | 2, three times
| Steals | 2, Vermont
| Minutes | 35, Xavier
| | | | | |
