Virginia redshirt freshman Mamadi Diakite’s physical tools are evident. The 6’9” forward is long, quick, athletic, fluid, and he has a natural ability to block shots.

Diakite flashed his significant athletic potential in only a season-and-a-half at Blue Ridge School (St. George, VA), where he enrolled when he moved to the United States from Guinea in January of 2014. An unknown prospect when he first arrived, he ascended to Adidas All-American status on the AAU circuit in the summer of 2016. Watching him several times on the high school level, Diakite reminded me of a taller, longer version of former Cavalier forward Darion Atkins.

Diakite could have attended Blue Ridge one more year. However, he graduated early and decided to enroll at UVA in August of 2015. While showing a lot of promise in high school he was also raw in terms of basketball experience and feel for the game. How much he has developed in terms of basketball IQ and learning Coach Bennett’s offensive and defensive schemes will go a long way in determining how big of a role Diakite will play for the Cavaliers this season.

After sitting out the 2016/2017 season opener against UNC Greensboro as a result of the “initial evaluation” of his amateur status, Diakite will be free and clear to put his abilities on display against major Division 1 competition. He says he has “learned a lot” in the one year he has been on Grounds and is anxious for the opportunity.

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