Moussa Diabate

French team was loaded as usual but underaged Moussa was best player and top potential at once from the roster. Extremely fluid athlete who gets up and down like a guard at 6’10 plus reportedly possess 7’3 wingspan. Rebounding is a clearly elite skill as he posted mind blowing 9’2 offensive rebs per 36. He has a light feet, great timing, glue in his hands and quick secondary leap. It looks like Diabate is taking advantage of being used as a point forward in his program as perimeter game and feel for the game seemed greatly improved comparing to last summer. He likes to operate in mid post where he can make a pass, try to post up or turn it face up. To some degree he is still really unpolished and mostly scores easy buckets thanks to his energy but room to grow offensively is definitely there. Moreover he displays relentless motor, can really lower himself, bother with length and potentially guard maybe even every position. Shooting remains a swing skill for hope to become a potential high lottery pick candidate. He was dared by opponents to shot more, made some long 2s but still attempted only one three and converted just 12 from 25 free throws. Anyways with that development pace he can be simply too good for prep school basketball in 20/21 season and not benefit from that at all. At the same time High schoolers won’t be allowed yet to go straight to the NBA at that point. People familiar with Moussa background know how tricky and complicated his recruiting process became last weeks. Actually maybe turning pro for draft eligible year could be a solution? I would not be surprised if it happens.

MOUSSA DIABATE, 6’9, CENTER, FRANCE

STRENGTHS:
– 6’9’’ – well coordinated, mobile athletic power forward with long arms, great footwork and base.
– Very solid back to the basket game, with a nice repertoire of moves and impressive footwork. Demands the ball in the paint, always wide on his legs keeping the strong base, uses a variety of very fast spins, many different fakes, likes using hooks shots, able to finish with either hand and through contact. Can play face up and pull up a jumper or drive to the rack with one or two dribbles.
– Great offensive rebounder, creates a lot of second chance opportunities for his team. Knows where to be, battles, always crashes the glass, grabs the boards in traffic, leaps fast around boxing out opponents.
– Moves well without the ball, sets solid screens on the PnR, very wide on his legs, makes it hard for defenders to go around.
– Runs the floor well, accelerates fast, runs transitions smoothly.
– Has good defensive instincts, moves well, stays light on his feet, and effectively closes gaps. Does well on the switch, able to keep the opponents in front of him, plays smart, contests shots with his hands up and bothers people with his reach. Nice defender in the post, again wide on his legs keeping a strong base, always finds a body to box out. Knows his opponents, gives space to bad shooters and stays close to players with more respectable stroke.

WEAKNESSES:
– Slim body, thin shoulders, may be unable to put more weight on his frame. Long neck and low shoulders – plays shorter than indicated by his height. Will struggle against bigger opponents.
– Has no outside game, not a best passer, uncomfortable dribbling in open court. Short range, not confident with his jumper, awkward three point shot with a very slow release, need a lot of room to pull up. Poor FT shooter – 54.8%.
– Not the best shot blocker nor a rim protector.

OUTLOOK:
Moussa Diabate presented himself as a great rebounder, grabbing on average 10.3rebs – 5.3oreb and 5dreb, in 25.8 minutes a game. He is definitely a player that could get a double-double every night, with his amazing feel for rebounds, nice skillset and ability move quickly in the post. May struggle to put more muscle on his frame- ectomorph body, and compete on the higher levels. Needs to work on dribbles, shot and his outside game in general.

MOUSSA DIABATE – Most of the last generations has French prospects on first place or very close to the top. Paris native, Moussa Diabate is headlining this country among 2002 born players and seems to have serious shot to continue this pattern as he is possibly one of the best class of 2021 recruits on his position in USA. Talented center left to States very early – at the age of 15 and his stock is hard to believe considering he picked up the basketball just 2 years before. Quickly after arrival he gained attention thanks to amazing pace of progress, high motor style of play and perfect tools. Diabate stands at 6’10 and is not limited to simple for him big time, athletic finishes. He shows flashes of developing quite well-rounded skillset which could allow him to play as a forward with budding perimeter game. At the moment he already has offers from Miami, Georgia Tech, UNLV, Georgia Tech and Memphis or interest from UF, Indiana & Louisville.