Maybe her name doesn’t ring in your ears yet. But a word of advice, keep it in mind. Moussa Diabaté, the Frenchie from Michigan, is showing great things at the start of the NCAA season and really pulled out all the stops against UNLV last night, in the semifinals of the Roman Main Event * in Las Vegas.
He is 19 years old, he was born in Paname, he flew to the States at only 14 years old and today he is the delight of the University of Michigan. This guy is therefore Moussa Diabaté. And his name is on everyone’s lips today on the Ann Arbor side. Because Moussa has just released the best performance of his young NCAA career, in the fourth game of his freshman year against the UNLV Rebels. 14 points, 7 rebounds, 1 interception, 2 blocks, all 6/7 shooting (2/6 free throws) in 21 minutes off the bench, with constant activity on both sides of the field to help the Juwan Howard gang win 74-61. Clearly, Diabaté made the difference on the floor of the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, and he mostly did the show. But like really. The action of the night? Close your eyes, and imagine an interior of 2m11 which crosses the ground before slamming a monumental tomar on the head of its direct adversary. This is exactly what Moussa Diabaté did in the middle of the first half. The kind of action that gives you wings for the rest of the game, and Moussa never really came back down.
No He Didn’t ???? @M0ussaDiabate @VegasMainEvent @umichbball pic.twitter.com/XcViiGt2po
— Ball Dawgs (@theballdawgs) November 20, 2021
Because he was everywhere. All over ! Not only did he slam this huge poster, but he also protected the circle like a big one with two daron counters which also deserve their place in the highlights. That match against UNLV on Friday was kind of the « coming-out party » de Moussa, this match where he really marked the spirits for the first time. Not that he hadn’t shown great things before this meeting, but there he gave a very, very serious glimpse of his potential. A potential that really interests the NBA scouts, and something tells us that his hype will continue to climb if Diabaté manages to chain. His activity and his intensity on the floors have something to seduce a lot of people, just like his athletic qualities and his good mobility for a player of his size. Typically the kind of profile that is sought after in the US Big League today. Of course, Moussa Diabaté still has some way to go before living the NBA dream. He represents a diamond that must be polished but clearly, he is really scoring points at the start of the season, all within a Michigan team which is one of the top teams in college basketball. Cock-a-doodle Doo !
If you want to continue following the rise of Moussa Diabaté, go Sunday for the final of the Roman Main Event between Michigan and Arizona. It will be at 3:30 am, on the same floor in Vegas. A new opportunity to shine for Moussa.
* The Roman Main Event is a four-team mini-tournament part of the college season. It takes place in Las Vegas. Michigan, UNLV, Arizona and Wichita State are the four participating teams in 2021.
Moussa Diabate putting on a show here in T Mobile Arena with his non-stop motor. Energy never stops. Incredibly light on his feet. Always around the ball. Showcasing his defensive versatility. Even splashed a catch and shoot 3. Cool to see his progression over the years. pic.twitter.com/oN0VIrqkjO
— Mike Schmitz (@Mike_Schmitz) November 20, 2021
???????? Moussa Diabaté was quite impressive in his D1 debut: outstanding athleticism, tools, speed, constant activity on both ends.
vs Buffalo: 7 PTS (3/6 FG, 1/4 FT), 5 REB, 3 AST, 2 BLK in 16 MIN pic.twitter.com/YuLgJlZd9D
— CBB Europe (@CBB_Europe) November 11, 2021
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