GROWTH POTENTIAL
Michigan’s Diabate says he still has room to improve in NBA draft process
CHICAGO – Moussa Diabate was drenched in sweat as he addressed reporters at the NBA draft combine. He had just completed a five-on-five scrimmage on the Wintrust Arena floor in front of NBA team evaluators, and a workout followed immediately after.
After a promising freshman season for Michigan basketball, the 6-foot-10 big man decided to enter his name into the 2022 NBA draft. He’s maintaining his college eligibility and has until June 1 to pull out of the draft. The combine has given him an opportunity to compete against other NBA prospects and interview in front of teams.
This week has been so busy that he hasn’t much time to think about his draft stock, he said. For now, the possibility remains he’ll return to Michigan next season.
“I’m not going to lie, my brain isn’t even thinking about that right now,” Diabate said Friday. “I’m like, man, I need to go take a shower, talk to my family and eat. I don’t really know right now. Come back in like two hours, I think I’m going to have what I need.”
Diabate earned Big Ten All-Freshman Team honors last season after averaging nine points and six rebounds in 24.9 minutes per game. He started Michigan’s final 26 games, and his size, athleticism and defensive versatility helped him become one of the Wolverines’ best players.
He initially wasn’t sure if he would go through the draft process after his season ended, but his camp encouraged him to. He also received support from Michigan head coach Juwan Howard, who as a former AllStar, two-time NBA champion and assistant coach for the Miami Heat understands the league as well as anyone.
A former five-star recruit, Diabate’s game
makes him an intriguing fit at the next level. NBA teams value athletic and mobile big men who can switch on defense and rebound. Diabate tested exceedingly well at the combine, recording a 36.5-inch vertical leap, which topped all other centers by 3 inches, and a 29inch standing vertical leap, second-highest among centers. He also had the fastest lane agility time (11.16 seconds) and shuttle run (2.9 seconds) and the second-fastest three-quarter sprint (3.26 seconds).
“Me coming into it and seeing my role is me being an energizer, really,” he said. “Playing defense, grabbing rebounds, running the floor, being athletic and communicating on the court. Being somebody that gives energy every time.”
Diabate is currently viewed as a fringe pick, but his combine showing should help his stock. Even if he doesn’t get drafted, a team that believes in his upside could sign him to a two-way deal. He has less than two weeks to finalize his decision, but his biggest priority is to have a lasting NBA career.
Whether he stays or goes, he said the combine process has been beneficial to his growth. His stock should continue to improve, whether it’s this offseason or next.
“It’s a situation where I feel like I’m going to be able to rise and get better,” Diabate said. “I don’t want to just go in there and end up just staying in the league for three years and get out. I’m trying to get something where the structure is going to be solid, and that’s going to help me grow as a man and as a basketball player.”
Contact Omari Sankofa II at Follow him on @omarisankofa.