An African connection for Syracuse sports

SYRACUSE, N.Y. (AP) -- One is a wiry 6-foot-10 and swoops down the basketball court, manning the middle of Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim's famed zone defense.

The other stands a foot shorter but has been just as intimidating at middle linebacker for Orange football coach Doug Marrone.

Meet Baye (BYE) Moussa Keita and Siriki Diabate, Africans who have taken different paths at Syracuse. Soccer, once the mainstay of their lives, is now an afterthought at best.

Keita is from Senegal. He energizes the Orange every time he's on the court as a backup center. Diabate grew up in the Ivory Coast. His final game for Syracuse is Saturday in the Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium.

Down the road, both hope to return Africa to help youngsters in their countries.