A New York Times article chronicles the journey of Alfred Aboya Baliaba, and how the native from Yaounde, Cameroon has elevated his game after coming to the United States, both on the court and off.

“I owe everything to basketball,” Aboya told the New York Times in his native French. “Without basketball, I wouldn’t be here. I probably wouldn’t even have gone to college. And it’s thanks to basketball that I can live out my dreams.”

Aboya can speak English, French, Spanish and several Cameroonian dialects.  And he received his Bachelor’s Degree in just three-years, an impressive accomplishment on his own, but when you add a hectic basketball schedule to a full load of classes, it becomes even much more impressive.

“Alfred is so committed and driven,” said U.C.L.A. Assistant Coach Scott Garson whom visited Cameroon with Aboya last summer. “If there was ever a prototypical academic All-American then it is Alfred in the truest sense of the word student-athlete.

Alfred is now in his first year of Graduate School at U.C.L.A.

“Alfred takes full advantage of (his) opportunities here.” said Garson.

Hard Work and Determination on the court
The 6-9, 245lb U.C.L.A. center points to his discipline as the reason why he is successful in the classroom, and that is the same reason why Aboya has grown more and more successful on the court.

“When you’re mentally prepared to accomplish something, it’s easier to get through it.” Aboya said.

Aboya’s hard work and dedication has helped to shape himself from a raw basketball talent with strong defensive skills, to a player that can be counted on for consistent contributions on both ends of the court.  “You can see (Alfred’s) work ethic in how he’s so determined.” teammate Josh Shipp said.

Aboya was named PAC-10 Player of the Week for Feb 2-8, 2009.  In addition to 16.5 points and 9.5 rebounds in 25.5 minutes in two victories over U.S.C. and Notre Dame, Aboya’s defense contributed to holding USC’s Taj Gibson to two points and Notre Dame’s Luke Harangodyto five points in those matches.

And Aboya continues to work, to improve.

“Improvement is about repetition.” the 24-year old Aboya told The Daily Bruin. “When you get the chance to practice and be active with your teammates, it helps you and it helps them. You help each other become a better player.”

Aboya hopes to follow in the footsteps of his fellow countryman and former UCLA teammate Luc Richard Mbah a Moute into the NBA, but if that doesn’t pan out, it’s shouldn’t be a surprise that Aboya has other plans.  Aboya aspires to become president of his native country, Cameroon.

“I feel like I need to change my country,” said Aboya. “My country is politically stable, but I feel like there is a lot that still needs to be changed and I feel like I’m the person to do that.”

Links and Resources: With Every Dunk, Aboya Soars Higher with U.C.L.A. (New York Times), On the court, in the classroom, Aboya rises to the challenge (ESPN), Q & A with Alfred Aboya (Daily Bruin), Alfred Aboya is happening for U.C.L.A. (L.A. Times), Alfred Aboya: Pac-10 Player of the Week (CollegeSportsNet)