March 17, 2009

PHILADELPHIA, PA - La Salle University junior men's basketball player Yves Mekongo Mbala has been selected by the NCAA to attend the National Student-Athlete development conference May 24-27 in Lake Buena Vista, FL.

Each year the NCAA invites 233 student-athletes from across the nation to the annual conference free of charge.

Mekongo Mbala was selected out of four nominees from La Salle including swimmer Brandon Hargraves, lacrosse player Dorothy Schalleur and women's basketball player Morgan Robertson. Each candidate fills out an application and composes an essay to be considered. Hargraves will be the school's alternate.

Not all schools are guaranteed a representative at the event.

During the conference student-athletes openly discuss issues that may affect them on their campuses and in their communities, while also providing them with the opportunity to enhance their leadership, communication, decision-making and problem-solving skills. The National Student-Athlete Development Conference also promotes better communication among student-athletes, coaches, administrators, faculty and communities.

Mekongo Mbala was recently named an Academic All-American by ESPN the Magazine and Co-SIDA, was is a candidate for his second NACDA (Athletic Directors) Academic All-America team, and is a two-time Atlantic 10 Academic All-Conference selection.

Other Explorers who have attended the conference in the past include Paris McLean (football), Janet Bollinger (lacrosse) and Jarryd Anderson (football).