Moussa Diabaté Enters Draft, Door's Open for Return
Via Jeremy Woo, Moussa Diabaté has entered the NBA draft without closing the door on a return.
Michigan’s Moussa Diabate has entered the 2022 draft while maintaining eligibility to return, a source tells me. The 6’10” Diabate showed flashes of promise as a freshman. His physical tools, motor and defensive versatility give him a chance to rise in the predraft process.
— Jeremy Woo (@JeremyWoo) April 25, 2022
The "maintaining eligibility" part is welcome news since the question with Diabaté was less if he might test the draft waters than if he was going to do so without looking back. That said, he's also highly likely to hear "Yes, please!" from several NBA teams, since super-lengthy athletes who can move like he can tend to shift the fortunes of franchises if they work out.
There's still some hope, given that ceiling, that he could return for a Franz Wagner-ian sophomore effort and leave as a lottery pick. There's also concern that his iffy hands might not improve enough for the gamble to pay off, especially since as a foreign student he would not have the same NIL opportunities that American players now enjoy.
Unfortunately, the not knowing still leaves Michigan trying to figure out their roster situation for next season. With Hunter Dickinson's return, Diabaté remains atop a growing backlog of guys looking for more minutes in the frontcourt. Tarris Reed arrives to at least replace Brandon Johns, and both Caleb Houstan, who's also likely to test the NBA draft, and Terrance Williams II ideally should be playing the four. With wing Jett Howard coming, Michigan trying to close the deal with 6'6" transfer guard Terrence Shannon, and no open scholarships at the moment, it's unlikely all of these guys will be here come fall.
Gun to my head, most likely Diabaté will find a team enamored enough with his potential to guarantee him a draft spot in the early/middle second round, and that will do it. If he does return, <rubs hands>.
Figured as much
Why can't Diabate and Houstan do the same kind of NIL deals that Tshiebwe is now getting at UK? Seems Kentucky figured it out, I'm assuming Michigan can do the same? Visa status was the issue.
I feel like there was a podcast that discussed this, and iirc the differences were that Tshiebwe (sp?) had lived in the states longer (which somehow makes a difference, apparently) and that his home country’s government was more willing to work with UK/the ncaa to clear whatever additional hurdles existed. The unstated assumption was that France would have less motivation for/interest in doing so for Diabate
I'm pretty sure we have lawyers and a law school at Michigan. Someone can figure that stuff out. Where is diabate from France? Can't we have someone in France pay him French money? Don't we have people? I'm pretty damn sure I've seen Go Bleu t-shirt pictures at Bivouac.
I don’t have the answers to any of these questions- just passing along along what Brian, Seth and all were discussing
If Houstan hit an open shot once in awhile when the games counted then he might be deserve a shot at the NBA.
This is pretty much a spot on assessment, I would think Houstan will do the same. They will figure out how to fit Shannon in if he is allowed to, but I would think that has already been determined and the hold up is Diabate/Houston until the 6/1 deadline or until a transfer happens.
I'll bet my usual $1 that Diabate departs...and Houstan stays.
Diabate has quite a bit of skill - and we'd certainly see an improved version of him this fall - but it might be best for the lineup if he departs.
Gotta have at least three threats from behind the three-point line. A starting line-up with Dickinson, Diabate, and Collins gives us 2.5 threats at best.
2020-21 Summary: The previous year's team had Brooks, Brown, Wagner and Livers getting the bulk of the minutes at the 2-3-4...with Smith at PG. Wagner had the lowest 3pt % at 34.3. Brooks was 39.6. The other three were over 40%. Team shot 38.7%.
2021-22 Summary: This year's primary 2-3-4? Brooks - 39.4. Caleb - 35.5. Moussa - 21.4. Williams - 38.5. Jones was at 34.2. Team shot 34.0%. And attempted 110 more 3's!
The 3pt shooting is the difference between 20-21 and 21-22. Affects spacing, assist/TO ratios, etc...and it's easier to defend a team that can't hit 3's.
I'd like to have Diabete! I think his improvement will be very great, including his outside shooting. His athleticism can be the difference against elite opponents. In his 2nd year he should feel more comfortable and have better chemistry with teammates.
Dickinson, Shannon, and the other starter will all be able to shoot 3s.
Looking at Mock Drafts, I see several players listed in the mid-2nd that I think have much less upside than Moussa. So I agree with Seth that he would likely get some team to commit a second round pick to him. He'll just have to decide if that is worth it to him.
The (potential) lack of NIL money isn't nothing, but it shouldn't be too hard for Moussa to see a situation where he improves and gets a 1st round contract next year. No idea what his family situation is or what his appetite is for delaying getting paid by a year to get a higher, more guaranteed payday. But that is likely what his final decision hinges upon.
So Jeremy Woo knows Diabate is entering the draft but has no idea about Houstan? Nobody at Michigan has an idea of whether Houstan is coming or going either?
You are making assumptions.
Perhaps so. The waiting game isn’t my best quality and I picked to love a program that plays it’s cards closer to the vest than any poker player out there.
How long is Shannon willing to wait for a scholarship to open before he considers other schools? Is Barnes a strong candidate to transfer or can Jace Howard’s scholarship be pulled? Or can Jett be a PWO for one year?
I'm guessing Shannon knows that a scholarship will be made available one way or another. We just don't know which way is best yet.
Hoping to get a chance to see Barnes this coming year and Jace certainly deserves a scholarship, so no real good option that I can think of.
Diabate doesn’t come back and we use that one on a shooting guard. We already have Hunter back so I’d rather see Caleb be the other one that comes back rather than Moussa. If all three want to come back that’s fine too but I’d rather not see a Bufkin or Barnes transfer out if we can help it.
April 26th, 2022 at 12:57 AM ^
While this isn't a surprise it's still a bit of a bummer. It's not like teams have much reason to be honest with guys about their value- worst case scenario you get a free talented UDFA. A guy like Moussa seems perfect for that- athletic freak who clearly needs a lot more polish. /Tin foil
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