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.
I want Archie’s brother.
He’s had a lot of talent at Arizona and has done ok but I wouldn’t say he’s done great? Probably better coach than Gottfried but at this point that’s not saying a whole lot.
Accomplishments
4× Elite Eight (2008, 2011, 2014, 2015)
6× Sweet Sixteen (2008, 2009, 2011, 2013–2015)
9× NCAA Tournament bids (2006–2009, 2011, 2013–2016)
Much better than 95% of the Coaches in Division 1.
Ben Howland went to like 4 final fours. If we want a guy that would actually be interested in the job we should be targeting him.
If you look at Gott’s accomplishments on paper it looks pretty good too. But both State and Arizona want championships. And Arizona has had more talent than State the last 10 years or so. I acknowledge that Arizona has done well but based on talent and expectations some could say they fell short.
My choices for new coach would begin with Creighton’s coach and Butler’s coach.
Just heard rumors that Gottfried fired at season’s end. I think it’s a mistake to keep him till then. Should fire him now and let one of the assistants take a shot at closing out season strong. Not a fan of Archie. Heard that he was telling ppl that State could not compete with unc/duke during his playing days.
Welcome back Tyler. I thought we had lost you guys. A trap game? OMG that is real wishful thinking.
@wolfpack74 if we are still writing through this season you are not losing us haha. A Trap game is real wishful thinking it is about the only thing we can hope for. But if NC State is NC State then they are capable of the surprising result right?
Inconsistency would be an understatement to describe this team. It could lose by 50 or pull out an upset. But my gut tells me it’s going to be ugly.
I would like to see the Cardiac Pack once again. I thought you guys had left since nothing was written about the debacle in Winston Salem.