Senegal’s Diane makes mark with Findlay
Months before No. 8 Findlay Prep (Henderson, Nev.) opened its boys basketball season, Pilots star P.J. Washington warned that he was coming.
“I’ve got a teammate named Lamine Diane,” Washington told USA TODAY Sports in September. “Not too many people know about him, but, trust me, he’s nice.”
More than 20 games into the season, it’s clear that if the whole basketball player thing doesn’t work out, Washington might have a future in scouting.
In his second season in the USA, Diane has more than tripled his scoring average from last year, from five points per game to 16.
“I think I just feel more confident,” said Diane, a 6-7 senior wing. “I think the difference is that we had some players graduate, and now I have the chance to play more.”
In August, Diane, who is from Senegal, gave a preview of what he could do when he led the prestigious Adidas Nations event in scoring, at 28 points per game.
Before Adidas Nations, Diane had one college offer, from South- ern Utah. He has added Baylor, Missouri, California and UNLV.
Diane had 19 points and seven rebounds in a 78-62 win against then-No. 5 Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.) on Dec. 21. Then last week in the Cancer Research Classic, Diane was named MVP after scoring 20 points, grabbing five rebounds and dishing out four assists in a 99-78 win against First Love Christian (Washington, Pa.).
He was named to the all-tournament team in the Bass Pro Tournament of Champions last weekend in Springfield, Mo., averaging 19 points per game.
“The style of play that I coach — pressing, getting out in transition, fast pace — really emphasizes his strengths,” Findlay Prep coach Paul Washington Sr. said. “He’s really good, and I think he’s just starting to scratch the surface of what he can be.”
Diane knew he’d have to improve his speed and strength to make an impact this season. Growing up, he watched his dad, Keletigui Diane, star professionally in Senegal. Keletigui played for Senegal’s national team.
“He was a forward, but I don’t think he was better than me,” Diane joked. “I love the style of play over here, because everything is running up and down the court. It’s not as fast over in Sene- gal. I just work on trying to get better in every game that I play.”
P.J. Washington has seen marked improvement for Diane on and off the court.
“When he first got here, I think the only two words he knew were ‘yes’ and ‘no,’ ” Washington said. “He’s long, athletic. He can defend, he can shoot, and he has a high IQ. People just don’t know about him like that, but I think if they did, he’d be considered one of the best players in the country.”
Be that as it may, Diane hasn’t been in the USA long enough to build the desire to pursue that title. His focus is twofold: helping the Pilots win and constantly improving his overall game.
“I came to the United States for a better opportunity,” Diane said. “To study and to play basketball. I’m working hard on both of those things. I know being here is a big chance for me, and I want to make the best of it.”