Boris Siakam’s resume doesn’t include much basketball experience.

So talent and potential are apparently higher on Darrin Horn’s list of priorities.

In Siakam, Horn may have found a player with massive potential. The Cameroon native signed a national letter of intent to attend Western yesterday.

The 6-foot-7, 215 pound forward took a Caverna High School team that was 10-20 two years ago and led them to a 30-4 record and a trip to the team’s first Sweet-16 appearance since 1979.

And all this in his first year of organized basketball.

“Even though he played just one year in the United States, Boris was able to prove he could play on the biggest stage in the best state tournament last month,” Horn said in a press release yesterday. “Paul Childress deserves a lot of credit for giving Boris that opportunity.”

Childress, Caverna’s head coach, said he is pleased Siakam is coming to Western. Although Siakam has just one year under his belt, Childress said he will be an added threat to Western’s team.

“I am excited he is coming to Western to play,” Childress said. “Western is getting a tremendous athlete. I think he can come right off and contribute as a freshman.”

Siakam came from Bouala, Cameroon before enrolling in the foreign exchange program which led him to Horse Cave and Caverna High School.

While Childress said Siakam has received little experience in organized basketball, he was able to learn quickly and have an impact on his teammates.

“He gave some of our other guys a lot of confidence,” Childress said. “It had a lot to do with his leadership qualities.”

His impact led to him averaging 18.7 points, 12.5 rebounds and 2.6 blocks per game. His efforts earned him first-team all state honors from The Courier-Journal.

While other schools were in the running, Western was the place Siakam felt at home.

“It was a very overwhelming process for him,” Childress said. “He was very concerned to make the right decision. When it came down to it, he just really liked the coaching staff and the environment. He felt at home.”

Reach Wes Watt at [email protected]