University of Massachusets Athletics
Men’s Basketball Announces Signing of Transfer Abdullah Ahmed
May 01, 2026 | Men's Basketball
Ahmed comes to UMass from BYU
AMHERST, Mass. – The Massachusetts men's basketball team announced the signing of BYU transfer Abdullah Ahmed on Thursday, joining a strong group of returning players and incomers. Ahmed comes to Amherst from BYU out of the Big 12.
"Abdullah, or Bido as we all know him, is an elite shot blocker who brings a true big man presence," said head coach Frank Martin. "His vast experience playing international basketball and G League will be great for our team. He is a true low post player, who will fit perfectly in how we use our big men."
Last season with the Cougars, Ahmed appeared in 20 games, including one start while averaging 1.3 points, 2.7 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game. A big-time shot blocker, Ahmed owns the fourth-most five-block games in a season in program history (2) and fifth most four-block games (2). Ahmed's five-block efforts came against Arizona State and Colorado. He went on to finish with the 10th most blocks in a conference season in program history (25) and 16th most blocks per contest in a single season (1.35) in BYU's storied history.
Other strong efforts included six points and three rebounds against Utah, while he tallied five points and three boards against Houston. Ahmed played double-figure minutes in 13 of his 20 games played.
Prior to BYU, Ahmed appeared in a total of 54 games over multiple seasons for the Westchester Knicks in the G League. While with the Knicks, he won NBA G League Tip-Off Tournament in back-to-back seasons. He appeared in 15 games, with eight starts during the 2024-25 campaign, averaging 4.0 points, 5.4 rebounds and 2.1 blocks. The year prior, he averaged 5.8 points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.2 blocks in 2023-24.
In addition, Ahmed won the 2019 U16 African Championship, averaging 12.1 points, 10.9 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game. He recorded a 29-point, 22-rebound double-double in a win over Angola in the group phase.
"Abdullah, or Bido as we all know him, is an elite shot blocker who brings a true big man presence," said head coach Frank Martin. "His vast experience playing international basketball and G League will be great for our team. He is a true low post player, who will fit perfectly in how we use our big men."
Last season with the Cougars, Ahmed appeared in 20 games, including one start while averaging 1.3 points, 2.7 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game. A big-time shot blocker, Ahmed owns the fourth-most five-block games in a season in program history (2) and fifth most four-block games (2). Ahmed's five-block efforts came against Arizona State and Colorado. He went on to finish with the 10th most blocks in a conference season in program history (25) and 16th most blocks per contest in a single season (1.35) in BYU's storied history.
Other strong efforts included six points and three rebounds against Utah, while he tallied five points and three boards against Houston. Ahmed played double-figure minutes in 13 of his 20 games played.
Prior to BYU, Ahmed appeared in a total of 54 games over multiple seasons for the Westchester Knicks in the G League. While with the Knicks, he won NBA G League Tip-Off Tournament in back-to-back seasons. He appeared in 15 games, with eight starts during the 2024-25 campaign, averaging 4.0 points, 5.4 rebounds and 2.1 blocks. The year prior, he averaged 5.8 points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.2 blocks in 2023-24.
In addition, Ahmed won the 2019 U16 African Championship, averaging 12.1 points, 10.9 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game. He recorded a 29-point, 22-rebound double-double in a win over Angola in the group phase.
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