University of Minnesota Athletics
Gophers Sign JUCO Transfer Aminata Zie
5/19/2022 2:54:00 PM | Women's Basketball
MINNEAPOLIS – Minnesota women's basketball head coach Lindsay Whalen announced Thursday the addition of Aminata Zie to the Gophers' program. Zie is a 6-2 forward from Paris, France, by way of Western Africa, who spent two years at Stony Brook before playing one season at Western Nebraska Community College. She will have multiple years of eligibility at Minnesota.
"Our staff is thrilled to announce the signing of Aminata to our women's basketball program today," head coach Lindsay Whalen said. "Aminata will represent our program values of being a great teammate, outworking opponents, being leaders on and off the court as well as being disciplined to the highest level. Her strength and skill will add to our front line to be able to compete with the best int he Big Ten."
Zie's has played in two collegiate seasons since coming to the United States in 2019. Most recently Zie played at Western Nebraska Community College (WNCC), a junior college located in Scottsbluff, Neb. Zie led the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) in field goal percentage last season, shooting 67.9 percent from the floor while averaging 9.2 points and 8.9 rebounds in 18.2 minutes per game in her 29 games played. Zie's squad reached the Final Four of the NJCAA national tournament, falling in the semifinals. Zie comes to Minnesota with individual game highs of 22 points (Dec. 11, 2021), 19 rebounds (March 18, 2022) and four blocks (Nov. 8, 2021).
Prior to WNCC Zie spent two years at Stony Brook where she missed the 2019-20 season due to shoulder surgery before playing nine games off the bench for the Seawolves in 2020-21. In her lone season in Scottsbluff Zie was named to the postseason All-South region team as well as the All-Defensive team. Off the court Zie's academic pursuit has been in the business field at both Stony Brook and WNCC. She's a two-time America East Commissioner's Honor Roll honoree.
Prior to her move to the United States Zie spent only the first few years of her life in Western Africa before she and her family relocated to the city of La Courneuve, outside of Paris. She was first introduced to basketball at age 13, when she tried out for and later joined the women's basketball team at La'Cournevue Basketball Club in France. The child of Zie Bibata and Zie Sidiki, Aminata is one of four children, all girls. Her older sibling, Kadidia, lives in the Bronx with her children, which helped her original transition to the United States.
Zie becomes the third transfer to join the Golden Gopher program this offseason, joining Mi'Cole Cayton (Nebraska) and Destinee Oberg (Arkansas).
For more information on the Gophers, continue to check back with GopherSports.com. Keep up with the University of Minnesota women's basketball on Twitter and Instagram (@GopherWBB) and on Facebook, so you do not miss any content during the offseason.
"Our staff is thrilled to announce the signing of Aminata to our women's basketball program today," head coach Lindsay Whalen said. "Aminata will represent our program values of being a great teammate, outworking opponents, being leaders on and off the court as well as being disciplined to the highest level. Her strength and skill will add to our front line to be able to compete with the best int he Big Ten."
Zie's has played in two collegiate seasons since coming to the United States in 2019. Most recently Zie played at Western Nebraska Community College (WNCC), a junior college located in Scottsbluff, Neb. Zie led the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) in field goal percentage last season, shooting 67.9 percent from the floor while averaging 9.2 points and 8.9 rebounds in 18.2 minutes per game in her 29 games played. Zie's squad reached the Final Four of the NJCAA national tournament, falling in the semifinals. Zie comes to Minnesota with individual game highs of 22 points (Dec. 11, 2021), 19 rebounds (March 18, 2022) and four blocks (Nov. 8, 2021).
Aminata Zie, at a glance 🎥 #SkiUMah
— Minnesota Women's Basketball (@GopherWBB) May 19, 2022
- Led the NJCAA in FG% last season (67.9)
- Averaged 9.2 points, 8.9 rebounds in 18.2 minutes per game
- Reached the Final Four of the NJCAA national tournament
- Individual game highs of 22 pts, 19 rebs & 4 blocks pic.twitter.com/ubwjHPCZc9
Prior to WNCC Zie spent two years at Stony Brook where she missed the 2019-20 season due to shoulder surgery before playing nine games off the bench for the Seawolves in 2020-21. In her lone season in Scottsbluff Zie was named to the postseason All-South region team as well as the All-Defensive team. Off the court Zie's academic pursuit has been in the business field at both Stony Brook and WNCC. She's a two-time America East Commissioner's Honor Roll honoree.
Prior to her move to the United States Zie spent only the first few years of her life in Western Africa before she and her family relocated to the city of La Courneuve, outside of Paris. She was first introduced to basketball at age 13, when she tried out for and later joined the women's basketball team at La'Cournevue Basketball Club in France. The child of Zie Bibata and Zie Sidiki, Aminata is one of four children, all girls. Her older sibling, Kadidia, lives in the Bronx with her children, which helped her original transition to the United States.
Zie becomes the third transfer to join the Golden Gopher program this offseason, joining Mi'Cole Cayton (Nebraska) and Destinee Oberg (Arkansas).
For more information on the Gophers, continue to check back with GopherSports.com. Keep up with the University of Minnesota women's basketball on Twitter and Instagram (@GopherWBB) and on Facebook, so you do not miss any content during the offseason.
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