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 admit that the Pack Has exceeded even my overly optimistic expectations. I am pleasantly surprised by our record. I am more surprised at how well the players have come together as a team. I am most surprised by the attitude and intensity of this team. I think the keys have been Joiner’s experience and leadership, Morsell’s emergence as an offensive threat, and Mahoric’s contagious determination. I have no idea how anyone can make projections of 300+ teams before the season even starts. Big moves over the first ten games are not surprising. Let’s hope the Pack keeps up the… Read more »
FSU is struggling this year in some ways similar to us last year. Lost some key players, depending on a short roster and an inexperienced bench.
Leonard Hamilton is a good coach and as they get some bodies back and some experience I think they’ll get better.
We may mark the dividing line between the top teams and the mid tier teams in the ACC. If so that should be good enough to get into the NCAAT.