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.
What would be really nice is a highlights/lowlights video. That way you get a fuller picture of the player.
I want to DESTROY duke next season. I want every shot to be a dunk. A boy can dream.
Andrew Rowsey cancelled his visit based on this commitment from Kirk. Do they even play the same position? One guy is 6’7″ and the other is 5’10”.
Looks like Kirk signed LOI with the Pack. Phew. What a ride. Now go land that 7’1″ beast from europe and we’re about set.
GeoffDobbin I believe that was because State doesn’t allow partial qualifiers.
Calipari did not want to coach State but he wants State’s recruits!
Why is kentucky always sniffing our jock? Every recruit they took from us has not worked out. They never learn.
Is there any doubt in anyone’s mind what is gonna happen with this kid? lol.
The roller coaster ride that is being a pack fan. Can we please catch a break.
I know everyone wanted the 5 star recruit and a backup PG but I’m happy with this pickup. Yes we still need a backup PG badly but we also needed depth at only 7 scholarship players so this kid gives us that. And hopefully this signing will lead to another (hopefully PG) before the recruiting year is over. At his age it is highly possible that he continues to grow so at 6’7″ he could end up 6’8″ or 6’9″ by the time he suits up for the Pack. One of the things you really can’t teach is athleticism and… Read more »
wolfpack74 Yeh, agreed. Im not complaining bc I’ve seen this guy in videos with DSJ on team Loaded, and he is extremely athletic…. but we already have 3 players who are vying for the wing positions… whereas we only have one PG, and we are weak offensively in the post… but at least we didnt strike out in the 2015 high school class.
Point guard and really big is what we need.