Moussa Diabaté

{{Infobox basketball biography

| name = Moussa Diabaté

| image = Moussa Diabate 2022 (cropped).jpg

| image_size =

| caption = Diabaté with Michigan in 2022

| position = Center / power forward

| height_ft = 6

| height_in = 10

| weight_lbs = 210

| league = NBA

| team = Charlotte Hornets

| number = 14

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|2002|1|21|df=y}}

| birth_place = Paris, France

| high_school = * Florida Prep Academy
(Melbourne, Florida)

| college = Michigan (2021–2022)

| draft_year = 2022

| draft_round = 2

| draft_pick = 43

| draft_team = Los Angeles Clippers

| career_start = 2022

| career_end =

| years1 = {{nbay|2022|start}}–{{nbay|2023|end}}

| team1 = Los Angeles Clippers

| years2 = 2022–2024

| team2 = →Ontario Clippers

| years3 = {{nbay|2024|start}}–present

| team3 = Charlotte Hornets

| years4 = 2024-2025

| team4 = →Greensboro Swarm

| highlights = * All-NBA G League Third Team (2023)

}}

Moussa Diabaté ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|m|uː|s|ə|_|ˌ|d|iː|ə|ˈ|b|ɑː|t|eɪ}} {{respell|MOO|sə|_|DEE|ə|BAH|tay}},{{cite press release|title=2023-24 start of season NBA pronunciation guide|url=https://www.nba.com/news/2023-24-start-of-season-nba-pronunciation-guide|website=NBA.com|date=October 24, 2023|access-date=May 17, 2024}} {{IPA|fr|musa di.abate}}; born 21 January 2002) is a French professional basketball player for the Charlotte Hornets of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the Michigan Wolverines. Diabaté was a consensus five-star recruit and one of the top centers in the 2021 class.

Early life and youth career

Born in Paris to Malian and Guinean parents, Diabaté started playing basketball at age 12 with Sporting Club Maccabi de Paris.{{cite web |last1=Pantel-Jouve |first1=Gabriel |title=Moussa Diabaté : L'exil du prodige |url=https://www.bebasket.fr/championnat-equipe-de-france/moussa-diabate---l-exil-du-prodige.html |publisher=BeBasket |access-date=16 July 2020 |language=French |date=17 January 2019 |archive-date=17 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200717030317/https://www.bebasket.fr/championnat-equipe-de-france/moussa-diabate---l-exil-du-prodige.html |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |last1=Zagoria |first1=Adam |title=IMG Academy star Moussa Diabate impresses at City of Palms, weighing reclassification to 2020 |url=https://www.zagsblog.com/2019/12/23/img-academy-star-moussa-diabate-impresses-at-city-of-palms-weighing-reclassification-to-2020/ |publisher=Zagsblog |access-date=17 July 2020 |date=23 December 2019}} After a few months, he moved to USD Charonne, where his interest in the sport formed, and he later competed for Saint Charles de Charenton Saint Maurice. Diabaté was not allowed into the sports institute CREPS for academic reasons. At age 14, he moved to the United States to advance his basketball career. In eighth grade, he joined the middle school program of Montverde Academy in Montverde, Florida. At first, he did not speak English and struggled to adjust to the American style of play.

High school career

As a freshman in high school, Diabaté played for Florida Preparatory Academy in Melbourne, Florida. For his sophomore season, he transferred to DME Academy in Daytona Beach, Florida.{{cite web |last1=Smart |first1=Zach |title=DME Lands Upside-Heavy Class of 2021 Forward Diabate |url=https://www.prephoops.com/2018/09/dme-lands-upside-heavy-class-of-2021-forward-diabate/ |publisher=Prep Hoops |access-date=17 July 2020 |date=4 September 2018}} Diabaté grabbed 30 rebounds in a game against Marshall County High School.{{cite web |last1=Vaught |first1=Larry |title=Kentucky events "best ones" DME Academy has played in and gives top 10 sophomore Moussa Diabate more exposure |work=Vaughts Views |date=5 January 2019 |url=https://www.vaughtsviews.com/2019/01/kentucky-events-best-ones-dme-academy-has-played-in-and-gives-top-10-sophomore-moussa-diabate-more-exposure/ |access-date=17 July 2020}} As a sophomore, he averaged 17.9 points, 11.1 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game.{{cite web |last1=Divens |first1=Jordan |title=2018-19 MaxPreps Boys Basketball Sophomore All-American Team |url=https://www.maxpreps.com/news/wCRc7AkDlUOzrgbdS9nvZA/2018-19-maxpreps-boys-basketball-sophomore-all-american-team.htm |publisher=MaxPreps |access-date=17 July 2020 |date=18 April 2019}} After the season, Diabaté competed for Nightrydas Elite at the Nike Elite Youth Basketball League.{{cite web |last1=Harkins |first1=Lukas |title=NCAA Basketball Recruiting: Early analysis of top 2021 prospects |url=https://bustingbrackets.com/2019/05/20/ncaa-basketball-recruiting-early-analysis-top-2021-prospects/5/ |publisher=Busting Brackets |access-date=17 July 2020 |date=20 May 2019}}

For his junior season, he moved to IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida.{{cite web |last1=Grobeck |first1=Joe |title=5-Star Frenchman Impressing College Scouts With Defensive Prowess |url=https://fanbuzz.com/high-school/moussa-diabate-recruiting/ |publisher=FanBuzz |access-date=17 July 2020 |date=30 April 2020}} In December 2019, Diabaté helped his team reach the City of Palms Classic final. He participated in the Basketball Without Borders Global Camp during NBA All-Star Weekend in February 2020.{{cite web |title=Trois français en vedette du Basketball Without Borders Camp |url=https://www.basketsession.com/actu/trois-francais-en-vedette-du-basketball-without-borders-camp-490448/ |publisher=Basket Session |access-date=17 July 2020 |language=French |date=18 February 2020}} As a junior, Diabaté averaged 14.5 points and seven rebounds per game.{{cite web |last1=Hawkins |first1=James |title='Welcome to the family': Michigan basketball signs top-ranked recruiting class |url=https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/college/university-michigan/2020/11/13/welcome-family-michigan-basketball-signs-top-ranked-recruiting-class/6279752002/ |website=The Detroit News |access-date=12 November 2021 |date=13 November 2020}} In his senior season, he averaged 14.1 points and 7.5 rebounds per game, and led his team to a 21–3 record.{{cite web |last1=Quinn |first1=Brendan |title=At Michigan, Moussa Diabate is home, for now |url=https://theathletic.com/2914776/2021/11/02/at-michigan-moussa-diabate-is-home-for-now/ |website=The Athletic |access-date=12 November 2021 |date=2 November 2021}} He was selected to the McDonald's All-American Game and Jordan Brand Classic rosters.{{cite magazine |last1=Brown |first1=Brandon |title=Three Michigan Signees Named McDonald's All-Americans |url=https://www.si.com/college/michigan/basketball/michigan-basketball-juwan-howard-mcdonalds-all-americans-kobe-bufkin-moussa-diabate-caleb-houstan-recruiting-class-2021-wolverines |magazine=Sports Illustrated |access-date=3 October 2021 |date=24 February 2021}}

=Recruiting=

Diabaté was a consensus five-star recruit and one of the top power forwards in the 2021 class. On 9 November 2020, he committed to playing college basketball for Michigan over offers from Arizona, Kentucky and Memphis, among others.{{cite web |last1=Sang |first1=Orion |title=Michigan basketball adds five-star center Moussa Diabate to No. 1 recruiting class |url=https://www.freep.com/story/sports/college/university-michigan/wolverines/2020/11/09/michigan-basketball-recruiting-center-moussa-diabate-five-star-final-list/6223654002/ |website=Detroit Free Press |access-date=9 November 2020 |date=9 November 2020}}

{{College athlete recruit entry

| recruit = Moussa Diabaté

| position = PF

| hometown = Paris, France

| highschool = IMG Academy (FL)

| feet = 6

| inches = 10

| weight = 215

| 40 =

| commitdate = 9 November 2020

| scout stars =

| rivals stars = 5

| 247 stars = 5

| espn stars = 5

| espn grade = 94

}}

{{College athlete recruit end

| 40 =

| year = 2021

| rivals ref title = Michigan 2021 Basketball Commitments

| scout ref title =

| espn ref title = 2021 Michigan Wolverines Recruiting Class

| rivals school = michigan

| scout s =

| espn schoolid = 130

| scout overall =

| rivals overall = 25

| 247 overall = 15

| espn overall = 13

| accessdate = 3 October 2021

| bball = yes

}}

College career

On 20 February 2022, Diabaté was involved in the postgame melee following a 77–63 loss to Wisconsin and appeared to throw punches. He was suspended one game by the Big Ten Conference for his role in the brawl.{{cite news |last1=Borzello |first1=Jeff |last2=Rittenberg |first2=Adam |title=Michigan men's basketball coach Juwan Howard suspended for rest of Wolverines' regular season after postgame altercation at Wisconsin |url=https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/33343690/michigan-men-basketball-coach-juwan-howard-suspended-rest-regular-season-altercation-wisconsin-sources-say |access-date=22 February 2022 |work=ESPN |date=21 February 2022}} Diabaté was named to the Big Ten All-Freshman Team.{{cite press release|url=https://bigten.org/news/2022/3/8/2021-22-big-ten-mens-basketball-postseason-honors-announced.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220308180525/https://bigten.org/news/2022/3/8/2021-22-big-ten-mens-basketball-postseason-honors-announced.aspx|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 8, 2022|title=2021-22 Big Ten Men's Basketball Postseason Honors Announced|publisher=Big Ten Conference |date=March 8, 2022 |accessdate=March 8, 2022}} He averaged 9.0 points and 6.0 rebounds in his freshman season. On 25 April 2022, he declared for the 2022 NBA draft while maintaining his college eligibility.{{cite news |last1=Zuke |first1=Ryan |title=Moussa Diabate declares for NBA draft, but door is open for Michigan return |url=https://www.mlive.com/wolverines/2022/04/moussa-diabate-declares-for-nba-draft-but-door-is-open-for-michigan-return.html |access-date=June 1, 2022 |work=MLive.com |date=April 25, 2022}} However, on 1 June 2022, Diabaté announced he would remain in the draft and forego his remaining eligibility.{{cite news |last1=Kahn |first1=Andrew |title=Michigan's Moussa Diabaté to remain in NBA draft|url=https://www.mlive.com/wolverines/2022/06/michigans-moussa-diabate-to-remain-in-nba-draft.html |access-date=June 1, 2022 |work=MLive.com |date=June 1, 2022}}

Professional career

=Los Angeles Clippers (2022–2024)=

Diabaté was selected with the 43rd overall pick by the Los Angeles Clippers in the 2022 NBA draft.{{cite web|url=https://www.freep.com/story/sports/college/university-michigan/wolverines/2022/06/23/moussa-diabate-michigan-nba-draft-2022-los-angeles-clippers/7692684001/|title=NBA draft: Michigan's Moussa Diabate a surprise pick by LA Clippers in second round|accessdate=March 6, 2024|date=June 23, 2022|author=Cohen, Michael|work=Detroit Free Press}} Diabaté joined the Clippers' 2022 NBA Summer League roster.{{cite web|title=LA Clippers 2022 NBA2K23 Summer League Roster|url=https://www.nba.com/summer-league/2022/vegas/team/1610612746/clippers|website=NBA.com|access-date=July 23, 2022}} In his Summer League debut, Diabaté scored ten points and seven rebounds in a 94–76 win over the Memphis Grizzlies.{{cite web|title=LA Clippers vs Memphis Grizzlies Jul 9, 2022 Box Scores|url=https://www.nba.com/game/lac-vs-mem-1522200016/box-score#box-score|website=NBA.com|access-date=July 23, 2022}} On July 22, 2022, Diabaté signed a two-way contract with the Clippers.{{cite web|first=Luke|last=Adams|title=Clippers Sign Moussa Diabate To Two-Way Contract|url=https://www.hoopsrumors.com/2022/07/clippers-sign-moussa-diabate-to-two-way-contract.html|website=HoopsRumors.com|date=July 22, 2022|access-date=December 10, 2023}}

On October 22, 2022, Diabaté dressed for the second game of the season for the 2022–23 Los Angeles Clippers but did not play.{{cite web|title=LA Clippers 2-0, 2-0 AWAY 111 Sacramento Kings 0-2, 0-2 HOME 109|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/boxscore/_/gameId/401468191|website=ESPN.com|date=October 22, 2022|access-date=January 6, 2023}}{{cite web|title=Moussa Diabaté 2022-23 Game Log|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/d/diabamo01/gamelog/2023|website=Basketball-Reference|access-date=January 6, 2023}} The second time he dressed, he played in the team's 5th game on October 27, for 1:47 accumulating an assist, steal, 2 rebounds, a field goal and a free throw against the Sacramento Kings.{{cite web|title=LA Clippers 2-3, 2-2 AWAY 110 Oklahoma City Thunder 2-3, 2-1 HOME 118|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/boxscore/_/gameId/401468222|website=ESPN.com|date=October 27, 2022|access-date=January 6, 2023}} He posted his first professional double double on November 18, for the Ontario Clippers against the Salt Lake City Stars with 24 points (on 10 for 12 shooting from the field) and 10 rebounds.{{cite web|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/basketball/news/clippers-moussa-diabate-stellar-performance-in-win/|title=Clippers' Moussa Diabate: Stellar performance in win|accessdate=March 18, 2025|date=November 18, 2022|website=CBSSports.com}} On December 14, he was named G League Player of the Week for a pair of 20-point/20-rebound efforts.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlive.com/wolverines/2022/12/ex-michigan-basketball-player-named-g-league-player-of-the-week.html|title=Ex-Michigan basketball player named G League Player of the Week|accessdate=December 20, 2023|date=December 14, 2022|publisher=MLive.com|author=Kahn, Andrew}} On December 17, in his 8th NBA game, with Paul George, Ivica Zubac, Reggie Jackson and Norman Powell unable to play, he made his first start at home against the Washington Wizards.{{cite web|title=Clippers beat Wizards 102-93; Washington drops 9th in a row|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/recap/_/gameId/401468593|website=ESPN.com|date=December 17, 2022|access-date=January 6, 2023}} Following the season, he was named to the G League's All-Rookie team.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlive.com/wolverines/2023/04/ex-michigan-basketball-player-named-to-g-league-all-rookie-team.html|title=Ex-Michigan basketball player named to G League All-Rookie team|accessdate=December 20, 2023|date=April 14, 2023|publisher=MLive.com|author=Kahn, Andrew}} He was also named to the postseason All-NBA G League Team third team.{{cite web|url=https://gleague.nba.com/news/windy-city-bulls-carlik-jones-headlines-2022-23-all-nba-g-league-teams|title=Windy City Bulls' Carlik Jones Headlines 2022-23 All-NBA G League Teams|accessdate=December 20, 2023|date=April 13, 2023|work=NBA.com}}

On July 14, 2023, Diabaté signed another two-way contract with the Clippers.{{cite web|first=Rory|last=Maher|title=Moussa Diabate Signs Two-Way Deal With Clippers|url=https://www.hoopsrumors.com/2023/07/moussa-diabate-to-sign-two-way-deal-with-clippers.html|website=HoopsRumors.com|date=July 13, 2023|access-date=December 10, 2023}}

=Charlotte Hornets (2024–present)=

On July 31, 2024, Diabaté signed a two-way contract with the Charlotte Hornets.{{cite web|title=Hornets Sign Moussa Diabate To Two-Way Contract|url=https://www.nba.com/hornets/news/hornets-sign-moussa-diabate-to-two-way-contract|website=NBA.com|date=July 31, 2024|access-date=July 31, 2024}} On November 12, he posted his first NBA double double with 12 points and 15 rebounds against the Orlando Magic.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/recap/_/gameId/401703372|title=Franz Wagner scores 32 as Magic cruise past Hornets, 114-89|accessdate=March 15, 2025|date=November 12, 2024|publisher=ESPN|agency=Associated Press}}{{cite web|url=https://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/charlotte-hornets/article294946834.html|title=Empty Cup in Orlando: Charlotte Hornets roughed up during in-season tournament loss to Magic|accessdate=March 15, 2025|date=November 12, 2024|work=The Charlotte Observer|author=Boone, Roderick}} In his next outing on November 16 he tallied 12 points and 14 rebounds against the Milwaukee Bucks for another double double.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/recap/_/gameId/401704795|title=LaMelo Ball, Hornets overcome Antetokounmpo's first triple-double this season to beat Bucks 115-114|accessdate=March 15, 2025|date=November 16, 2024|publisher=ESPN|agency=Associated Press}}{{cite web|url=http://instagram.com/hornets/p/DCc8Z1NJAyU/?hl=en|title=14 is HIM.|accessdate=March 15, 2025|date=November 16, 2024|publisher=Charlotte Hornets/Instagram}} The game marked Diabate's fourth consecutive game with at least 11 rebounds.{{cite web|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/basketball/news/hornets-moussa-diabate-dominates-offensive-glass-saturday/|title=Hornets' Moussa Diabate: Dominates offensive glass Saturday|accessdate=March 16, 2025|date=November 17, 2024|publisher=CBS Sports}} On February 9, 2025, Diabaté's contract was converted to a standard three-year NBA deal.{{cite web|title = Charlotte Hornets Sign Moussa Diabaté to Multi-Year Deal|url=https://www.nba.com/hornets/news/charlotte-hornets-sign-moussa-diabate-to-multi-year-deal|website=NBA.com|date=February 9, 2025|access-date=February 9, 2025}} The following night he posted a career high 21 points and 10 rebounds against the Brooklyn Nets.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/recap/_/gameId/401705324|title=Nets pull away from Hornets after LaMelo Ball leaves with ankle injury, win 97-89|accessdate=March 15, 2025|date=February 10, 2025|publisher=ESPN|agency=Associated Press}}

National team career

Diabaté led France to fourth place at the 2018 FIBA U16 European Championship in Novi Sad, Serbia. He averaged 11.1 points and 10.3 rebounds per game, recording 16 points and 17 rebounds against Serbia in the quarterfinals. At the 2019 FIBA U18 European Championship in Volos, Greece, he averaged 13.1 points, 11.1 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game for France, who came in fifth place. In a group stage win over Greece, Diabaté recorded 14 points and 20 rebounds.{{cite web |last1=Guérineau |first1=Julien |title=Moussa d'Amérique |url=http://www.ffbb.com/moussa-damerique |publisher=French Federation of Basketball |access-date=17 July 2020 |language=French |date=27 March 2020}}