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.
74eagle He’s had the most talent of pretty much any coach in Wolfpack history during a 4 year stretch so I’m not going to excuse anything due to rebuilding. Every team is rebuilding. Kids leave early for NBA, they transfer, get injured, etc. It’s part of the game and we’re not the only ones dealing with this problem. I can’t argue with the freedom his offense gives his players but I’m not a big fan of it. Don’t get me wrong, I like it better than Sendek’s for certain. However, I’ve seen one too many plays drawn up for one… Read more »
I dont really get the “polarizing” angle… I don’t think there is that much contention about Gott’s coaching among Pack fans… sure some people are critical, but you see that with every fan base… hell, a lot of Ewenc fans are critical of Woy Boy, but he has brought them 2 NCs…. I think Gott has done a helluva job and I am glad to have him… he is a great recruiter, really good motivational coach and has a way of getting his teams to peak at the right time every year… If he can get a couple of breaks… Read more »
It’s been quite a ride these last four years. Being in the Tourney is where it’s at and anyone can make a run IF there. Challenges ahead for the ’16 team, but who are you scared of? UVa and the Cheats will be ballyhooed, neither are world beaters and may not even be the class of the league. We need some guys to step next year and the staff to coach ’em up. I think it will happen.
I have to disagree with the x and o comment. Coach has had to rebuild almost every year and change how his system runs to maximize results. Back in the Herb days we stuck with a system whether it made sense with our personnel or not. Gott actually coaches in a way to allow the freedom to players to make plays. He’s got achip on his shoulder, connects with players, coaches to win and when he finally loads this roster at every spot, watch out.