There may be a lot to be enthusiastic about concerning the upcoming season for the Gonzaga Bulldogs. With all of the discuss Khalif Battle, Michael Ajayi, and Braeden Smith, it’s simple to neglect that the the Zags signed one other enormous (pun meant) addition for the 2024-2025 season, Ismaila Diagne. The 7-footer introduced his dedication to Gonzaga in June and since then, there was a lot hypothesis as to his function within the crew’s future. One factor is for certain, nonetheless: when a signing of Diagne’s caliber is the “forgotten” a part of a crew’s offseason, that crew goes to be extraordinarily, extraordinarily good.
Diagne is very gifted however nonetheless uncooked. The Senegalese heart spent final yr with Actual Madrid’s U18 crew the place he averaged 10.2 factors, 7.8 rebounds, and 0.9 blocks per recreation. He additionally appeared in 4 video games with the Actual Madrid nationwide crew and confirmed flashes of greatness in opposition to the very best stage of competitors in Europe. At simply 17 years previous, Diagne has demonstrated poise and promise in opposition to high-level competitors in methods only a few gamers earlier than him have been in a position to take action. Whereas it’s difficult to foretell how profitable he’ll in the end be at Gonzaga, Diagne may have one of many highest ceilings amongst worldwide recruits the Zags have signed in years.
The largest query mark surrounding Diagne is precisely how a lot followers can anticipate to see him play within the coming season. As thrilling as his dedication was for Gonzaga followers, some early NBA draft projections have him getting into the league as quickly as 2025 and there’s a priority that he could make the leap to the NBA earlier than even getting his ft moist within the NCAA. Gamers with Diagne’s potential are extraordinarily uncommon and there are a lot of NBA GMs who would fortunately take an opportunity on him earlier than giving him a possibility to show himself on the NCAA stage.
It’s seemingly Diagne selected Gonzaga for the crew’s confirmed observe document with participant growth, particularly for large males. Latest years have proven that Gonzaga is a spot the place massive males with NBA potential can obtain the required care and steering to succeed on the subsequent stage, even when they don’t see a lot in-game motion. Diagne actually may have dedicated to a special college the place he’d play vital minutes instantly however his selection of Gonzaga signifies that he values participant growth over an instantaneous NBA profession, at the very least in the interim.
Diagne actually didn’t decide to Gonzaga with the expectation of beginning minutes proper off the bat. For now, the middle place is firmly held by Graham Ike. Though comparatively undersized for an NCAA heart, Ike was probably the most environment friendly offensive massive males within the nation final yr, averaging 16.5 factors on 61% capturing in 24 minutes per recreation. In lots of video games, Ike exceeded expectations even in opposition to bigger, extra bodily opponents. Nevertheless, regardless of his offensive effectivity, the Zags typically needed to depend on traps and double-teams for protection within the low block; typically it labored (prefer it did in opposition to Hunter Dickinson), different occasions, we performed Purdue.
Ike’s backup final yr was Braden Huff, who had simply come off his personal redshirt yr within the fabled Olynyk Clinic. Huff’s taking part in model differs from Ike’s significantly, and the mixture of the 2 stored defenses on their toes. Nevertheless, when each Ike and Huff struggled or confronted foul hassle, the Zags appeared flat.
With a participant of Diagne’s measurement doubtlessly coming off the bench, the Zags may have a brand new look in key moments when for no matter motive they’ll’t get issues happening low. Even when Diagne doesn’t contribute a lot offensively this yr, with a lot expertise on the perimeter, he could not must. A real 7-footer who can clog the lane, seize rebounds, and assist hold different bigs out of foul hassle is a beneficial addition. Regardless of his rawness, if utilized in the correct context, Diagne could possibly be a useful asset to the Bulldogs within the 2024-2025 season.
Extra realistically, Diagne’s best worth this season could be as a scout crew stand-in throughout observe for the larger facilities Ike and Huff will face sooner or later. Huff, particularly, struggled in opposition to rangier opponents final yr and sometimes relied on his turnaround jumper to get a clear take a look at the basket when he couldn’t physique as much as acquire place on the low block. This technique was in all probability efficient in observe in opposition to Drew Timme and Pavle Stosic, however it fell quick in opposition to taller, extra aggressive defenders in recreation time. Iron sharpens Iron, and if Gonzaga desires its massive males to carry out properly in opposition to larger opponents, they want observe in opposition to them as properly.
Though Diagne’s affect will seemingly be felt most behind the scenes this yr, he does have a transparent path to a future within the NBA. Gamers of his measurement and ability are exceptionally uncommon, particularly at such a younger age, and lots of GMs wish to purchase him sooner quite than later. The query is how lengthy Diagne will wish to proceed creating at Gonzaga and the way a lot he can enhance inside one of many nation’s only participant growth packages.
If his profession trajectory up to now continues, Diagne may go from being an entire unknown to a family title inside a yr. He possesses the uncooked expertise, athleticism, measurement, and expertise to make the leap to the NBA rapidly if he chooses. By committing to Gonzaga, although, Diagne has proven he values the chance to realize ability and expertise over an instantaneous skilled profession. Coach Few is understood for his endurance and measured method in integrating new gamers, so followers ought to mood their expectations for a way a lot of Diagne we’ll see within the upcoming season, but when Ike and/or Huff look a bit of sharper in opposition to taller competitors than they did final season, we are going to know who to thank.
