STEPHENVILLE – Tarleton head coach Billy Gillispie announced the signing of Mansfield Timberview all-state selection Joey Madimba to a National Letter of Intent to join Tarleton Men’s Basketball next season.
Madimba, a 6-foot-4 small forward from Arlington, Texas, will join the Texans after spending his senior season at Timberview. Madimba started his high school career at Mansfield Lake Ridge. Madimba chose Tarleton over other offers from North Texas, Tulsa, UAB, Southern Illinois and Hofstra.
“I’m glad to be a part of a new era at Tarleton,” said Madimba. “Playing for coach Billy Gillispie is going to be amazing! I’m blessed to be able to go Division I and play for a great school and program. We plan to win championships and start an even bigger success at Tarleton. Coming in as a freshman, I’m ready to impact the WAC and make a difference at Tarleton.”
The 3-star guard led Timberview to a 29-8 record and advanced to the UIL State Tournament where they were set to compete in the Class 5A semifinals and look to repeat as state champions before the tournament was canceled due to COVID-19. Madimba and the Wolves were ranked fifth in the state at season’s end. During Timberview’s regional final victory, Madimba scored a game-high 26 points, including the final five points in a 64-62 win over Burleson Centennial.
“We are really lucky to have a player of Joey’s magnitude join the Tarleton program,” said Gillispie. “Our philosophy is to recruit great people, great students and the most versatile players that we can find. Joey checks all those boxes and more. He is a tremendous competitor who played for one of the state’s elite basketball programs at Mansfield Timberview. His work ethic and desire to achieve at a very high level will give him a great chance for success as Tarleton moves into the Division I level.”
Madimba averaged 18 points, 7 rebounds and 2.7 assists his senior season, leading Timberview in both points and rebounds. He was named District 5-5A MVP and 5A Region 1 Regional Tournament MVP. He was also voted TABC all-region and TABC all-state. The Fort Worth Star-Telegram tabbed Madimba first team all-area. Madimba holds the Timberview single-game scoring record with 40 points while also recording a double-double in the process with 11 rebounds. In addition to being a 3-star prospect, Madimba was ranked 31st in Texas and 26th on Rivals.
Madimba becomes Gillispie’s sixth recruit to sign with the Texans, joining Tre Gipson, Shakur Daniel, Heritier Ngalamulume, Caleb Starks and Freddy Hicks.
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