Diabate is an incredible defensive prospect. He doesn't do much else though. His shot creation is limited, and he is very raw on that end. If he puts in some serious work, he'll become a serviceable backup.

NBA Comparison: Ian Mahinmi

Projected Draft Range: 45-Undrafted

Height 6'11

Weight 210 lbs

Wingspan 7'3

DOB 1/21/02 (Draft Age: 20)

Pre-Draft Team Michigan Wolverines

Offense

• Takes and makes high percentage shots.

• Very good offensive rebounder.

• Developing really good touch around the cup.

• Can finish strong with dunks.

Defense

• Amazing length for close outs.

• Outstanding defensive potential and potential versatility.

• More and more aggressive as time goes on.

Swing Factors

Role

• LOW:

• HIGH:

Player analysis

Moussa Diabate is an older freshman but still manages to be one of the higher swing players in the draft. He is a really mobile big that moves a lot on defense and uses footwork to get easy off ball buckets in the paint. At Michigan he never really had the ball in his hands and rightfully so, the only times he really scored on the ball were quick mid range moves and trickery in the post. I love his size at 6’10 with a long wingspan and I think he does have an interesting rangy game to him. He stepped out to three in flashes and didn’t shoot well but his form has clear improvements that I think coaches can really work on. Moussa is a fun transition player who runs the floor and uses his length and speed to get up for lobs, next to a more gifted passer I think his splits from across the entire floor will get better. He is one of the skinnier players in the draft and he recorded the lowest body fat % at the combine so I don’t see him playing any center, he most likely will be the front court partner to a more reliable center. Under the right circumstances I think he makes a really great complementary player in a lineup who can work really well with the cornerstones of an offense. On defense Diabate is very smart, he has good timing and footwork which when paired with his size makes him really effective on that end of the floor. Whichever team drafts him will have to be patient because he is raw despite being 20 years old, if he works out I like the way he can plug in as a 3rd or 4th option in a lineup.

Draft range: [ 38 - 56 ]

Comp: [ Harry Giles ]

fast, catch lobs, instincal defensive, needs to get better on defense, needs to get better footowrk

Can't play a lick of offense

Strengths:

• Arguably the best athlete in the draft, topping nearly every athletic test at the combine

• 6'10 power forward

• A nice post up game

• Looks to be a nice cutter and is good at moving off ball

• Super young

• High defensive upside

Flaws:

• His 3 point shot needs work

• What position actually is he?

• Can he survive as a post player in the NBA?

• Is not NBA ready just yet

• Little to no playmaking feel

• IQ is very average

• Not a great handle

• Is not good with the ball in his hands