Ngongba

Sato

        Basketball players Romain Sato and Patrick Ngongba grew up together in Bangui, the Central African Republic's capital. But they had to travel to the capital city of another nation before they first faced off.

        That was Jan.16 in Washington, D.C. Sato, a Xavier freshman guard, had 12 points and 12 rebounds. Ngongba, a George Washington senior forward, didn't score in 12 minutes. XU won 76-74.

        “Playing a game together, it's something I never would have dreamed,” Sato said.

        That's because there are just three natives of their country in Division I basketball. Max Mombollet, a freshman forward at The Citadel, is the other.

        Sato and Ngongba will reunite Saturday when XU (16-3, 7-1 Atlantic 10) plays host to GW (9-11, 3-4). After the game, they will get together.

        They have been friends for years. Sato used to go watch Ngongba's games in Bangui.

        After enrolling in an exchange program, Ngongba finished high school in Maryland. When Sato was weighing whether to study abroad, Ngongba came home to speak to him and other students about his experiences.

        Sato and Mombollet were in the same group that came to the United States in January 1999. Sato, placed in Dayton Christian High School, called Ngongba regularly. “He would tell me what to expect,” Sato said.

        When GW played games at Dayton and Xavier, Ngongba left tickets for Sato. They talk a couple of times a week.

        Sato is making a bid for A-10 Rookie of the Year, averaging 11.2 points and 5.8 rebounds. GW coach Tom Penders did not make Ngongba available for an interview, perhaps because Ngongba has been slumping — he lost his starting spot and is averaging 4.9 points and 4.8 rebounds.

        Ngongba watched on TV last month when XU was upset at home by Massachusetts, a game in which Sato scored only three points. When Sato returned to his dorm room, his phone was ringing.

        “It was Patrick, saying: "Don't worry about it. Keep positive,” Sato said. “He's a great friend.”

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