Mangok Mathiang,the redshirt junior who was expected to start alongside Onuaku last season, is fully healthy after breaking his foot in December and missing the entire slate of conference games. The 6-10 big man is "a little heavy from not playing," Pitino said, but he is working his way back into form.
"Mangok’s the glue to the team," Pitino said. "He’s the guy, now that (fifth-year seniors Damion Lee and Trey Lewis) are gone, who has to lead the team emotionally and keep the great attitude we had last year."
The other injured post player, Anas Mahmoud, is "about 90 percent," Pitino said, as he works his way back from a severe ankle sprain that forced him to miss the final six games of the season. Mahmoud, a 7-foot sophomore, tried individual instruction and "did OK," Pitino said. His goal this offseason is to hit the 225-pound mark.
"Mangok’s the glue to the team," Pitino said. "He’s the guy, now that (fifth-year seniors Damion Lee and Trey Lewis) are gone, who has to lead the team emotionally and keep the great attitude we had last year."
The other injured post player, Anas Mahmoud, is "about 90 percent," Pitino said, as he works his way back from a severe ankle sprain that forced him to miss the final six games of the season. Mahmoud, a 7-foot sophomore, tried individual instruction and "did OK," Pitino said. His goal this offseason is to hit the 225-pound mark.
