Redshirt freshman guard Amar Amkou recently discussed his basketball journey and experiences as he prepares for the upcoming season. Amkou credits his father, a former player turned coach, with shaping his early development in the sport. “My dad used to play basketball, and when he retired, he became a coach. I grew up playing basketball with him, so he was a big part of my development. We always went to the courts together. I also grew up playing soccer, but I realized I was going to have more opportunities with basketball, so I decided to stick with it,” said Amkou.
Amkou described how his involvement with the NBA Academy in Senegal began through the SEED project, where his father coached. “Before the NBA Academy came to Senegal, there was the SEED project, and that is where my dad coached. I grew up playing there and one summer the NBA Academy came to Senegal and partnered with the SEED project, so I began playing for them. We did both school and basketball. There were some online classes along with local teachers who would come and teach us,” he explained.
Reflecting on last season, Amkou shared that an injury kept him off the court but allowed him to support his teammates from the sidelines. “I came into last season injured, so I knew I wasn’t going to be playing. I tried to be a helpful teammate, always talking to them and being encouraging. You see different things when you are not on the court, so I tried to help in that way,” he said.
Addressing how he managed mental challenges during recovery, Amkou emphasized resilience: “I tried to be very mentally strong. If you are mentally weak, it makes it a lot harder. I was focused on working hard no matter what because going to the gym every day to work out and get healthy again is tough, but I had to put the work in.”
Looking ahead, Amkou believes last year’s observations will benefit him this season as he adapts to American college basketball’s style of play. “I got to see the different competition, cultures, and playing styles last year to help me prepare. Basketball in America is more physical and aggressive, so that is one of the biggest adjustments. I am taking what I was able to watch last season and applying it to this season,” he stated.
The Florida Atlantic Owls men’s basketball team will begin their 2025-26 campaign soon; fans can find updates on their schedule by visiting their official site or following @FAUMBB on social media platforms for ongoing news about players like Amkou and team activities.
Florida Atlantic’s 2025-26 men’s basketball season is sponsored by Phil Smith Kia/Phil Smith Acura.
