During his freshman year, Bamba made an immediate impact for the Longhorns. He was named to the Big 12's All-Newcomer Team and All-Defensive Team, as well as the All-Big 12 Second Team. He averaged an impressive 12.9 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 0.5 assists per game. His performance on the court drew attention from NBA scouts, and he was projected to be a lottery pick in the 2018 NBA draft.

Despite Texas's early exit from the 2018 NCAA men's basketball tournament, Bamba decided to forego his remaining three years of college eligibility and declare for the NBA draft. He was selected sixth overall by the Orlando Magic, where he has since played for the past few seasons.

Bamba's time at Texas was a critical period in his basketball career, allowing him to showcase his skills and earn recognition from the basketball world. His success on the college level paved the way for him to make it to the NBA and become the player he is today.

As Bamba continues to make waves in the NBA, his time at Texas serves as a reminder of his journey to success and the hard work he put in to get there.