Collingwood has signed Senegalese basketballer Bassirou Faye as part of an International Rookie Scholarship.

The 18-year-old has spent the last few days settling into life at the Holden Centre having arrived at the club earlier this week.

Faye originally left Senegal for Australia to pursue a basketball career before making the switch to football.

Standing at 202cm, Faye has been given the nickname ‘Big Rou’ and is seen as a potential ruck prospect for the Pies.

Despite training with the Oakleigh Chargers over the summer, Faye is yet to play a game of football.

During his time with the Chargers, he impressed with great physicality, athleticism and rebounding abilities - traits he’s carried over from basketball. He then went on to record an 84cm running vertical jump at the NAB League testing day back in March before returning home to Senegal due to visa constraints. Not only did his impressive leap allow him to standout, but also his unique sporting goggles. 

While an International Rookie Scholarship player sits outside the club’s maximum list of 44 players, Faye will play games for the Oakleigh Chargers this season and will be part of the Pies’ program full-time.