TCC’s Cheick Thiero signs with UC Riverside (with audio)

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (August 14, 2014) – Tallahassee Community College men's basketball standout Cheick Thiero has signed a national letter of intent with the University of California, Riverside. 

Thiero, who stands 6-foot-9 and weighs 225 pounds, is from Bamako, Mali, but attended high school at Jacksonville's Arlington Country Day. He transferred to Tallahassee in 2013 after playing his freshman season at Highland Community College-Illinois. 

"He was one of our most improved players over the course of the season," said Tallahassee head coach Eddie Barnes. "He became a vital part of the program down the stretch in (Panhandle) conference play and was one of our best rebounders. Not only did he become a much-improved player, he did a tremendous job in the classroom and we wish him the very best." 

Thiero played in 14 games with the Eagles and averaged 1.8 points and 1.6 rebounds per game while shooting 71.4 percent from the floor. 

Off the court, he was named to the Panhandle Conference's All-Academic team in June. 

UC Riverside, an NCAA Division I program, competes in the Big West Conference.