PF Mamadou Diarra (Signed LOI on 11/14)

[david]

Actually 3 open now unless u r expecting Gibbs.

I think he was considering he said we'd be losing 4 seniors. I count Omar, Nolan, Miller and _____? Unless I'm just forgetting someone

 

[Brochacho]

Actually 3 open now unless u r expecting Gibbs.

Yes

 

[David 76]

When you're sliding into first.....

 

[3rdbass]

Yes

Well I like your positive outlook as we don't have enough of that on the board.

 

[sammydabiz]

When you're sliding into first.....

When ur sittin in a Chevy.....

 

[UConn Esq]

Diarra has to wear #2, right?

 

[Matrim55]

I still wonder if there's late reclassification potential here. This is from last month's article about PSA's basketball team being absorbed by Woodstock Academy:

The "option to go to college" is obviously the telling quote. If he had that option last month, why not in September? Especially since he's supposed to be a real classroom achiever and had Ivy League schools knocking on his door.

I doubt he'd be ready to contribute at a high level this year, but I wouldn't - at all - be against getting him on campus early. It would help us space out our scholarships better, and having the extra body for practice or certain in-game emergencies couldn't hurt. At all.

Wondering if our insiders have any intel on this.

 

[SixRings]

No way he's a baller. That's a hockey name. Next.

 

[James]

His teammate the 6'4 bouncy guard in 2017 looks like a stud .

 

[Jaybo]

Maybe its just me,but he reminds me of a young montrezl Harrell in that mixtape.could be all the dunks.

 

[Jerry1714]

I still wonder if there's late reclassification potential here. This is from last month's article about PSA's basketball team being absorbed by Woodstock Academy:

The "option to go to college" is obviously the telling quote. If he had that option last month, why not in September? Especially since he's supposed to be a real classroom achiever and had Ivy League schools knocking on his door.

I doubt he'd be ready to contribute at a high level this year, but I wouldn't - at all - be against getting him on campus early. It would help us space out our scholarships better, and having the extra body for practice or certain in-game emergencies couldn't hurt. At all.

Wondering if our insiders have any intel on this.

A lot of kids push college off nowadays to be older, stronger and more ready to contribute right away.

 

[Matrim55]

A lot of kids push college off nowadays to be older, stronger and more ready to contribute right away.

Yes. But a lot reclassify late, and we have scholarships open.

 

[Jerry1714]

Yes. But a lot reclassify late, and we have scholarships open.

If there is a no chance he can see the floor next year, I would rather not waste a year of eligibility just to have a body at practice.

 

[caw]

If there is a no chance he can see the floor next year, I would rather not waste a year of eligibility just to have a body at practice.

Although if he is a serious student, red shirting could be an option? Duke has done that before.

 

[Matrim55]

If there is a no chance he can see the floor next year, I would rather not waste a year of eligibility just to have a body at practice.

Not sure I agree. Injuries happen, and - again - staggering our scholarship load is a good idea. This past year is an example of what happens when there is too much talent concentrated in one or two classes, as opposed to spread out across all four years.

If Diarra is eligible and we're at 12 scholarships or less, I certainly hope we bring him in.

 

[huskiesnyc]

Maybe its just me,but he reminds me of a young montrezl Harrell in that mixtape.could be all the dunks.

I thought the same thing watching him

 

[Stinger92860]

A lot of kids push college off nowadays to be older, stronger and more ready to contribute right away.

Several of my daughters AAU teammates and friends did this. It was suggested she do the same. I felt her future was her education, so we passed. While she is doing very well, one year of an excellent prep school who have provided a solid academic baseline also.

I knew parents who kept there kids back in 5/6 th grade. It worked out for a few, but I think they would have been D1 players anyway.

 

[CTBasketball]

His teammate the 6'4 bouncy guard in 2017 looks like a stud .

Hamidou Diallo - the kid is going to be a stud. If there is a kid we should land its him. He's going to be real good, but may go underrated because he doesn't play on an EYBL team and usually most recruiting services salivate over these kids. He plays on the NY Jayhawks.

 

[DogMania]

Not sure I agree. Injuries happen, and - again - staggering our scholarship load is a good idea. This past year is an example of what happens when there is too much talent concentrated in one or two classes, as opposed to spread out across all four years.

If Diarra is eligible and we're at 12 scholarships or less, I certainly hope we bring him in.

As the saying goes, a bird in the hand...

I'd rather see us land him now than take the chance and lose him to one of the top P5 schools if he blows up even more than he's already showing.

I've only watched one clip, and not once did he put the ball on the floor. It wouldn't be a bad thing if he takes a year of prep and get plenty of PT and work on his body, handle, midrange jump shot, etc. I realize he's a big, and they doesn't need to handle the ball all too often, but it sure helps if your big can put the ball on the floor to create space for his shot. With that said, I probably still would prefer that we get him now than take a chance and lose him later. Other than not getting as much PT, KO and his staff can teach him all those things.

 

[Matrim55]

As the saying goes, a bird in the hand...

I'd rather see us land him now than take the chance and lose him to one of the top P5 schools if he blows up even more than he's already showing.

I've only watched one clip, and not once did he put the ball on the floor. It wouldn't be a bad thing if he takes a year of prep and get plenty of PT and work on his body, handle, midrange jump shot, etc. I realize he's a big, and they doesn't need to handle the ball all too often, but it sure helps if your big can put the ball on the floor to create space for his shot. With that said, I probably still would prefer that we get him now than take a chance and lose him later. Other than not getting as much PT, KO and his staff can teach him all those things.

My thoughts exactly.

Best part of that highlight reel above, btw, was the quick outlet pass after the rebound. Kid seemed to have his head on a swivel after cleaning the glass, which I love.

Obviously it remains to be seen whether that was a one-time thing or a regular feature of his game. But I honestly can't remember the last time we had a big man who was comfortable throwing half-court outlets. Hopefully this kid is it.

 

[James]

has anybody seen diarra in person vs high level nepsac front court? maybe @Ricker ? How is his frame and overall mobility/explosiveness? Better than facey?

 

[RipCity]

Facey needs strength, but another problem for him last year is that he went from being seemingly high motor early in the season to being extremely timid and passive when conference play started.

 

[Ricker]

I wish I could say that I have seen him in person but I have not. Putnam Academy played at Hoophall but I didn't know they had anybody on the team we were following so I didn't pay attention. I've been kicking myself but just looked at the program and it was a different Putnam Academy from MA someplace and the roster was obviously not including Diallo and Diarra. So I just haven't been at a venue where that team was playing.

 

[Stinger92860]

As the saying goes, a bird in the hand...

I'd rather see us land him now than take the chance and lose him to one of the top P5 schools if he blows up even more than he's already showing.

I've only watched one clip, and not once did he put the ball on the floor. It wouldn't be a bad thing if he takes a year of prep and get plenty of PT and work on his body, handle, midrange jump shot, etc. I realize he's a big, and they doesn't need to handle the ball all too often, but it sure helps if your big can put the ball on the floor to create space for his shot. With that said, I probably still would prefer that we get him now than take a chance and lose him later. Other than not getting as much PT, KO and his staff can teach him all those things.

I bet you would like to see Phil not put the ball on the floor.

 

[Dogbreath2U]

Hamidou Diallo - the kid is going to be a stud. If there is a kid we should land its him. He's going to be real good, but may go underrated because he doesn't play on an EYBL team and usually most recruiting services salivate over these kids. He plays on the NY Jayhawks.

Wow, what a stroke! This kid can shoot and he just has that real smooth quality.