Matthew Strazel, Hugo Benitez, Ousmane Dieng, Malcolm Cazalon, Hugo Besson and Ismaël Kamagate, the list of French people who hope to be drafted next June is rather long and we wondered if Moussa Diabaté was also going to be part of it. We know (a little more) since Monday.
It was through a statement posted on the University of Michigan’s Twitter account that Moussa Diabaté shared his intentions regarding the rest of his career. And the rest of his career is potentially the NBA Draft. We say potentially because the 20-year-old Frenchie does not yet know if he will really show up for the ceremony on June 23 at the Barclays Center. What he does know, however, is that he really wants to take the temperature to see where he could be in the hierarchy of 2022 prospects. Does he have a real chance of being selected by an NBA franchise? Is it worth taking the plunge in two months? These are the answers that Diabaté will try to find by participating in the different stages of the pre-Draft process: evaluation with scouts, workouts with NBA teams, possibility of participating in the Combine… Once he has gone through all that, Moussa will have a better visibility on his rating with observers of the Great League and will be able to take the decision he considers to be the best for the rest of his career. Important info to keep in mind, the Frenchman has maintained his eligibility to return to the University of Michigan if he ever decides to say no to the NBA Draft for this year. Translation, two scenarios are possible: either Diabaté is confident in his chances and decides to show up for the big ceremony on June 23, or he returns to the Wolverines for a second NCAA season before possibly trying his luck again next year. In the event that he chooses option number 2, Moussa will have to withdraw his name from the Draft before June 1, 2022.
A statement from Moussa Diabate:
〽️???? | #ProBlue | #ForCompetitorsOnly pic.twitter.com/uVVKKnRrcR
— Michigan Men’s Basketball (@umichbball) April 25, 2022
As you can imagine, if Moussa Diabaté wants to test himself first before actually appearing in the NBA Draft, it is likely to be a bit short for the highest level at the time of these lines. The latest mock drafts place him at best in the second round and we think that an additional season on the side of Michigan would perhaps be the wisest decision to take the lead. Afterwards, nothing excludes a scenario in which Moussa catches the eye of the Hexperts during the pre-Draft process because the boy still has significant assets. The physical profile (2m11, 95 kilos, 2m15 wingspan) is attractive, he who has in particular a mix of mobility – athletic qualities – energy – versatility which has something to appeal to scouts. We remember in particular his exceptional tomar during a meeting between Michigan and UNLV a few months ago in Vegas, asserting himself at the same time as a member who counts in the collective of coach Juwan Howard. We had also made a quick assessment of his first season in Michigan just before the start of March Madness, the first season where he showed some flashes while having more difficult passages (9 points, 6 rebounds, 1 against average in 25 minutes, 26 starts in 32 games), which is pretty normal for a freshman. All that to say that the potential is there, now remains to make the right choice to continue to climb the ladder well in order.
Passed by the famous IMG Academy in Florida before landing in Michigan, as well as by the French team for the U16 and U18 European Championships a few years ago, Moussa Diabaté now dreams of the NBA. Will Draft 2022 be the gateway for him? Reply soon.
Source texts : @umichbball, Detroit Free Press
Michigan’s Moussa Diabate has entered the 2022 draft while maintaining eligibility to return, a source tells me. The 6’10” Diabate showed flashes of promise as a freshman. His physical tools, motor and defensive versatility give him a chance to rise in the predraft process.
— Jeremy Woo (@JeremyWoo) April 25, 2022