When French-speaking Djim Bandoumel arrived at Monroe College in New York City, Wes Perryman was one of the first teammates to help make the Nigerian-born Canadian feel welcome.
“He helped me a ton on and off the court,” said Bandoumel, whose second language is English.
Their friendship remains strong, even though they accepted scholarship offers from two Division I schools that are rivals and often far from cordial.
Perryman, a fifth-year senior, is the starting point guard at Boise State. Bandoumel, a senior, is a starting forward at Idaho.
The duo will play against each other for the first time Saturday when the Broncos (9-4) take on the Vandals (7-6) at the Idaho Center.
“We haven’t talked this week,” Perryman said. “We haven’t exchanged too many words. We’re both focused on the game right now, friendships aside.”
They might not be talking, but others are.
“We’re getting hyped from JUCO teammates, and our coach is posting things on our email and on Facebook about the rivalry, talking about two MVPs going head-to-head,” Bandoumel said.
Perryman was Monroe’s MVP in 2007-08, while Bandoumel grabbed that honor the next season.
Perryman redshirted his first season at BSU after being hurt early in the 2009-10 season. Bandoumel played eight games last season at Idaho before being declared academically ineligible and didn’t play in either of last season’s losses to the Broncos.
The schools are only playing once this season.
“I think it makes it a lot more important because we just have one go at it,” Perryman said. “You don’t get a rematch. It’s just one game.”
Perryman is averaging 6.8 points, 3.2 assists and has recorded a team-high 21 steals.
“Wes was one of the guys who worked the most hard and he hates losing — in practice or whether it’s just for fun,” Bandoumel said. “He always wants to win — that’s Westley Perryman’s mentality. He always goes hard. That’s him.”
Bandoumel has started eight games, including the past five, and is scoring 8.0 points per game. He averages 3.7 rebounds and has blocked 17 shots and has 12 dunks. He’s also a member of Canada’s men’s development national team.
“He’s a high-energy guy who plays above the rim,” Perryman said. “He always told me to meet him at 10 feet. He dunks everything and is a guy you can just throw lobs to. He loves the game, he plays with a passion. He blocks a lot of shots.”
Both expect a good game.
“It’s going to be a big war,” Bandoumel said. “It’s one of the biggest rivalries.”
Nick Jezierny: 377-6420
