Sylla Spurns SEC Interest, Picks West Virginia as Transfer Destination

Morgantown, W.Va. — West Virginia men’s basketball coach Ross Hodge opened the first Tuesday of December 2025 with a program-shaping addition, securing a commitment from Georgia Tech freshman center Mouhamed Sylla, sources confirmed to West Virginia On SI.

Sylla, a 6-foot-10 native of Atlanta, made an immediate imprint in his lone season with the Yellow Jackets, averaging 9.6 points, 7.2 rebounds and 1.2 blocks while connecting on 57.9 percent of his field-goal attempts. Though he attempted only four three-pointers—making one—scouts believe the long-range stroke is a skill he can refine as his frame matures.

Recruited nationally out of high school, Sylla held offers from Arkansas, Arizona State, Alabama, Duke, Kansas, Oregon and Washington before initially signing with Georgia Tech. His combination of length and fluid athleticism gives the Mountaineers a dramatically different look at center compared with last season’s more traditional post, Harlan Obioha.

Offensively, Sylla profiles as a finesse finisher and above-the-rim lob threat rather than a back-to-the-basket bruiser. Defensively, his 7-foot-plus wingspan and lateral quickness project as an ideal foundation for Hodge’s switch-heavy scheme; staffers inside the program believe he can develop into an All-Big 12 caliber rim protector who can comfortably guard smaller players on the perimeter.

Sylla joins a 2026 recruiting haul that already includes guard Finley Bizjack and forward Javan Buchanan. The trio will help offset the departures of guards Jasper Floyd and Morris Ugusuk, forwards Jayden Forsythe and DJ Thomas, and center Abraham Oyeadier.

West Virginia now turns its attention to integrating Sylla into summer workouts as the Mountaineers prepare for their first full season under Hodge.