Hawks senior Ndao to miss season for medical reasons

Forward Papa Ndao was expected to assume an expanded role after departures of three other seniors.

St. Josephs' Papa Ndao (32) celebrates after scoring a foul shot
against Massachusetts in the final seconds of the second half of an
NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, Feb. 1, 2014, in Philadelphia.
St. Josephs won 73-68. (AP Photo/Laurence Kesterson) — St. Josephs' Papa Ndao (32) celebrates after scoring a foul shot against Massachusetts in the final seconds of the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, Feb. 1, 2014, in Philadelphia. St. Josephs won 73-68. (AP Photo/Laurence Kesterson)Read more

by BY JEFF NEIBURG, Daily News Staff Writer <a href="mailto:neiburj@phillynews.com">neiburj@phillynews.com</a>

Published Oct. 4, 2014, 12:55 a.m. ET

AFTER GRADUATING three starters, including two crucial frontcourt players in Ronald Roberts and Halil Kanacevic, Saint Joseph's senior forward Papa Ndao was supposed to take on a bigger role in the 2014-15 season.

That won't happen, however. Ndao will sit out the season because of unspecified medical reasons, the school announced yesterday in a news release.

"Papa's well-being is our primary concern," coach Phil Martelli said in the release. "While I am disappointed that Papa won't be with us physically, I expect him to play a significant role as a team leader."

Ndao has played in 85 games over the last 3 years on Hawk Hill. Last season, Ndao played in 31 games - including two starts when Roberts was injured - and averaged 2.5 points and 1.3 rebounds for the Atlantic 10 champions. A native of Dakar, Senegal, Ndao is scheduled to graduate in May with a degree in interdisciplinary health studies. He'd still have a year of NCAA eligibility remaining.

Without Ndao, St. Joe's is expected to rely on junior forward Isaiah Miles and a trio of freshmen in Markell Lodge, Obi Romeo and Jai Williams, with all of them taking on expanded roles.

The Hawks' first practice of the season is this morning.