NC State picked up their 5th transfer today. Mohamed Diarra (6’10″/215) committed to run with the Wolfpack today while in Raleigh on an Official Visit.
Diarra originally spent his first two seasons at Garden City Community College, averaging 17.8 points and 12.6 rebounds per game in his second season. He landed at Missouri last year, after being rated as the #1 JUCO prospect in the 2022 class according to JucoRecruiting.com.
In his only season at Missouri, Diarra averaged 11.7 minutes per game in 25 games played (6 starts), averaging 3.3 points and 3.2 rebounds. Because of the extra year due to Covid, Diarra has 2 years of eligibility remaining.
With news breaking today that Dusan Mahorcic entered the Transfer Portal, the Wolfpack found his replacement. NC State’s frontcourt in 2023-24 currently will be made up of D.J. Burns, Ben Middlebrooks, Mohamed Diarra and Ernest Ross.
Check out these highlights of Diarra.
There is a lot to like in Diarra’s game. He is athletic, can hit a jump shot, put the ball on the floor, can play defense on the perimeter, block shots, and is an aggressive rebounder.
I have read different reports about Diarra. Does he have 2 or 3 years of eligibility left with State?
Good question, I have read the same.
He did two years of JUCO and one at UM, so – with the COVID year – two years of eligibility seems most likely, despite what it says in the article above.
Although I do remember DJ Funderburk electing not to use eligibility at the CC he played at, so he retained it. I guess CC is cheap, so he just paid to avoid losing the year. But I haven’t heard or read anything like that about this guy.
My money is on two.
One of his JUCO years did not count due to COVID. He has two years of eligibility left.
Looks like we have Diarra.
Full house again.
Lower rating than Dowuoana. I believe they left out the “he”. Why choose him? Scored 9 points and 6 rebounds in the last six games. Another KK charity case?
Leagues better than Ebe. Everytime he got minutesnhe produced just was buried on mizzou bench. No idea why. But he can rebound has great hands and can shoot. We knew DM was leaving this is an acceptable replacement imo. And sets up our front court with middlebrooks in the future
High School ratings don’t matter much after three years. KK is pretty good at finding players to contribute.
In what specific ways do you think Ebe is better?
I don’t believe he is better. I think he will contribute just like Ebe. Not good enough. Hope I am wrong about him if he commits.
He’s not the same type of player as Ebe, but he is a role player and all teams need role players. He did commit already.
That was fast!
“Diarra entered the Transfer Portal on March 28th.”
Interesting comment to add, is that significant? The portal window ‘opened’ March 13.
You never know how JUCO numbers will translate to D1. But with 3 years eligibility, he has time to develop. On paper, you’d think he’d be 3rd off the bench at center behind Middlebrooks because neither Middlebrooks nor Diarra appears to be a PF.
That pushes Ross and Miranda to the PF, for sure. Which means we could play either small or big.
Hate Mahorcic transferred. Not sure what’s behind that other than speculation about his rehabilitation of the knee.
Best for both parties. He won’t be ready to play to maybe February. He wanted to be here but he would see the court. He didn’t want that. He will have to sit a year after he transfers that will give him ample time to heal and then use his last season.