With just under three months away from the college basketball season tipping off, the Ole Miss men’s team officially has the final piece of its roster. On Monday, Rebel officials confirmed that France native Ilias Kamardine had made it to campus.
Kamardine’s arrival in Oxford had been hanging in the balance due to holdups spurred by delays in I-20 forms, or certificates of eligibility for nonimmigrant student status, being processed. This was prompted by President Donald Trump’s administration halting visa appointments for international students and exchange visitors at embassies and consular posts worldwide to update vetting procedures back in May.
Once the embargo was lifted in mid-June, delays persisted. Despite Kamardine, a 21-year-old who most recently played professionally for JDA Dijon in his home country, committing to play for Chris Beard’s Rebels back in April, his ability to hop on a plane and join his new team during summer practices was stymied by political affairs.
But now, the Frenchman is in the Magnolia State, and his head coach is asserting that time is ticking to have Kamardine up to speed before the early November tipoff to the regular season.
“I look forward to taking Ilias out on the court and basically showing him how our practices are set up … trying to get him to where he’s as comfortable as he can possibly be the first time he takes the floor with his teammates, so we’re not wasting a lot of time,” Beard told the media in July. “It’s going to be more, ‘Hey, Ilias, get in the front of the line. You know the drill.'”
Welcome home, Ilias!#HottyToddy x #Culture pic.twitter.com/igYikH0NPK
— Ole Miss Men’s Basketball (@OleMissMBB) August 18, 2025
Beard noted that, following Kamardine’s commitment to Ole Miss, the guard dedicated time to watching Rebel basketball games and other contests to not only familiarize himself with his new team but also to garner a better understanding of the rules and regulations of college basketball.
And now that Kamardine is on campus, Beard has pledged to a full-court press consisting of players and coaches working overtime to ensure that the latest addition to the roster is developing into a viable contributor to the team, while also growing more comfortable in his newfound home in north Mississippi.
“He’s been watching Ole Miss games and tape and video of college basketball since our very first Zoom with him last spring, when we started recruiting him. So, he’s put in the time,” Beard continued.
“We’re going to have to be calculated. We’re going to have to have a plan. The quicker we can get him acclimated to the [United] States, to Oxford, to his living arrangements, and things like this, [the better]. It will be a team effort. It won’t just be me and Ilias. It will be our staff, and most importantly, our players.”
The European hooper, known for his athleticism, shot creation abilities, and 6-foot-10 wingspan, averaged 8 points, 1.9 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game with JDA Dijon. He also led France to a first-place finish in the FIBA U20 Eurobasket in 2023 and was crowned MVP.
Rebel fans will have to familiarize themselves with a multitude of new faces, not just Kamardine, as star big man Malik Dia and young guard Eduardo Klafke are the only notable returners from Beard’s historic Sweet 16 squad.
Dia and Klafke are currently joined by transfer additions Corey Chest (LSU), Koren Johnson (Louisville), James Scott (Louisville), AJ Storr (Kansas), Travis Perry (Kentucky), Augusto Cassia (Butler), Kezza Giffa (High Point), and Hobert Grayson (Ouachita Baptist). Freshman newcomers Tylis Jordan, Patton Pinkins, and Niko Bundalo have also earned roster spots.
The team’s full schedule has not been released, but it is expected to be announced in the near future. For now, the conference schedule can be found here.
