Mamadi Diakite called up by Milwaukee Bucks after thriving in G League play

By Jerry Ratcliffe

Former Virginia star Mamadi Diakite is looking forward to catching up with his NBA Milwaukee Bucks teammates as soon as the All-Star break is over.

Diakite was signed as a Two-Way free agent by the Bucks and was with them through the preseason but was sent down to the G-League once the season began. Because Milwaukee doesn’t have a team in the Lakeland (Fla.) bubble, he has been playing for the Lakeland Magic.

The popular Diakite, who helped lead Virginia to the national championship in 2019, has thrived in the G-League.

During his 12 games with the Magic, he has averaged 18.5 points, 10.3 rebounds (8th in the league), 2.1 blocks (25 in a dozen games, which is tied for fifth), while shooting 58 percent from the field. He has nine double-doubles.

“I’m just playing free,” Diakite said of his success thus far. “I’m also trying to respect what the coaches are saying. I’m just trying to play loose and win, too. I’m a competitor. I want the end result to be a championship.”

The 6-foot-9, 228-pound forward has scored 20 points or more eight times, with a high of 27 against the Clippers G-League team, and 25 against Fort Wayne.

One of his dunks ranked No. 2 on SportsCenter’s Top 10 recently.

Even though he was playing for a different organization with new teammates, Diakite said he approached the change step-by-step so that he could help his team win.

While he hasn’t appeared in a game for the Bucks this regular season, he has attempted to keep up with his parent team.

“I watch their games,” Diakite said. “I still remember all the plays that we’re running there. When I get back, I can help to the best of my capacity.”

Meanwhile, in other UVA-NBA news, former Cavalier De’Andre Hunter has been named to the 2021 NBA All-Star Rising Stars team, even though he is still injured.

Hunter is in his second year with the Atlanta Hawks.