NC State Forward Mohamed Diarra will not be returning to NC State for his final season of eligibility. Rather, he will give 100% of his focus to pursuing his professional career.
Diarra is declaring for the NBA Draft, and will explore that possibility as far as it goes, but the likelihood of him playing professionally in his home country of France are high.
Diarra was a significant player for NC State all season long, averaging 6.3 points and 7.8 rebounds (team high), but his impact in March was tremendous, recording 10+ rebounds in 7 of the Wolfpack’s 10 postseason games, and five of those performances were double-doubles.
Wolfpack fans will always remember the grit and mental toughness that Diarra put on display in the NCAA Tournament, playing game-after-game while fasting for Ramadan.
The Wolfpack’s frontcourt just got a little bit thinner. In the past two weeks, NC State has lost Diarra and Ernest Ross. Ben Middlebrooks is returning, and Brandon Huntley-Hatfield transferred in from Louisville. Dontrez Styles transferred in from Georgetown, and while he is more of a Small Forward, in certain lineups, he could play the Small 4 position. With all that being said, I fully expect NC State to try to find another post player in the Transfer Portal with Diarra’s exodus now official.
With Diarra not returning in 2024, NC State now has 2 scholarships available for next season.
All the smiling by the unc players were like daggers to my heart. I never want to feel that bad again.
packman70 You guys make me laugh. These articles have no substance. Anya, Freeman, and Abu have been big disappointments this year. I don’t see how anyone could say something different. I have pulled for this team for 45 years and yes I expect perfection. Sweet sixteens are dime a dozen. Remember there are sixteen of those each year. Make some real improvement by going to the final four for a change. Of the McD all Americans, only 1 will make it in the Pros (TJ) and only Barber has stayed with the team. You can’t really say that you are satisfied… Read more »
I’m wolfpack74, arrrgh. I just rip “my” team if I think they can’t win a championship, arrrgh! What’s the point of rooting for a team to improve and compete??? Arrgh! Gottfried sucks! 4 straight tourneys and 2 sweet 16s , SO WHAT?!?! We didn’t win anything! Arrgh! I’m a better fan because I demand championships every year! You guys wanna give trophies to losers! Arrgh!
Keep fighting the good fight, as per the performance of college kids. Really, you’re doing the Lord’s work here.
I lived thru two national championship seasons. I can guarantee you that this team couldn’t carry the water for those other teams. Keep drinking the cool-aid and believing these bull$hit articles like this one. If you hurry, Tyler has a drink for you.
We could win a national championship game by 40 points and you would still find something to bitch about wolfpack74
What a bunch of crap. He hasn’t hit a shot further than four feet from the basket. Wow, what improvement. No doubt he is a good kid and a hard worker, but we need nasty mean basketball players with a lot more polish.