Mamadi Diakite Latest to Declare for NBA Draft
Posted on Wednesday, Apr. 17, 2019, 8:22 pm
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Mamadi Diakite
By Jerry Ratcliffe
Within 10 days of Virginia’s first Final Four championship, four of the Cavaliers’ key players in the NCAA Tournament have declared for the NBA Draft.
Mamadi Diakite, a redshirt junior forward from Guinea, announced Wednesday afternoon that he will join teammates De’Andre Hunter, Ty Jerome, and Kyle Guy in forgoing his remaining collegiate eligibility and enter the June 20, NBA Draft.
We reported a strong rumor on Monday evening that both Guy and Diakite would throw their hats in the ring, and while many observers believe both should remain in school another year, some see them as possible second-round choices. Even if they’re not drafted, a source close to the team said that both might choose to not return to school and play internationally.
Of course, both Guy and Diakite have both indicated they are “testing the water” to see what their value might be. Under new NCAA rules, they are permitted to declare and hire an agent, seek expert feedback on their draft chances, and if they choose, could return to school for their remaining eligibility as long as they make that decision by May 29.
“I would like to thank God and my wonderful family for the opportunity to play this game at such a prestigious university,” Diakite said on his Instagram account on Wednesday afternoon. “Just a boy from Conakry, Guinea!!!
“This has been an unbelievable experience and I can’t even begin to put it in to words,” Diakite continued. “I have grown so much from my first day on Grounds both on and off the court, which is why I am confident in announcing my intentions to declare for the NBA Draft. I know that UVA will always hold a special place in my heart.”
Diakite added that, “This process will allow me to test the waters, get valuable feedback and participate in the pre-draft process.”
The athletic, 6-foot-9 forward, became a crowd favorite as the season progressed, becoming one of the top shot blockers in recent Virginia history. His big smile and free spirit, in addition to his blonde-tinted hair late in the campaign, won over the fan base.
Diakite’s game blossomed in mid-February but really came on in the postseason when he became a vital factor in Virginia’s run to the national title. It was Diakite who shot his way into Wahoo legend as part of “The Play,” in the Elite Eight game against Purdue.
With seconds remaining in regulation, Diakite tapped Jerome’s missed free throw well into the backcourt from where freshman point guard Kihea Clark lasered a pass back to Diakite for a 12-foot jump shot that sent the game into overtime. From there, UVA beat the Boilermakers and advanced to the Final Four.
Diakite shot 55.7 percent from the field, boosted by his ability to easily dunk the ball. He reached double figures in 11 games and averaged 7.6 points per game, 4.6 rebounds. He ranked eighth in the ACC in blocked shots, had multiple blocks in 18 games, and recorded a block in 20 consecutive games.
Coming to UVA from nearby Blue Ridge School, Diakite redshirted his freshman season and saw some action as a redshirt freshman. His game really developed this past season as a redshirt junior.
Everyone was waiting for his knowledge and feel for the game to catch up to his off the scale athletic ability.
Asked during the NCAA Tournament if he had gained celebrity status back in Guinea, and he responded, “Yes, they all think I’m in the NBA.”
