Per a press release from Blue Ridge School (St. George, VA), it appears the chances of Mamadi Diakite enrolling at the University of Virginia this fall are good. The 6’10” forward has been taking summer courses with an eye towards reclassifying from the class of 2016 to the class of 2015.
“In his time at Blue Ridge School, [Diakite] has shown an impressive work ethic and determination to succeed. His effort on the court has been the most public display of his hard work, but his work in the classroom has been just as impressive. Actually it is the combination of his determination academically and a last minute transfer of a UVA basketball player that has granted Mamadi the opportunity to attend the University of Virginia as soon as this fall. The University of Virginia had a last minute opening, and presented Diakite with the possibility of coming to school this fall. After consultation from the NCAA and the University of Virginia’s compliance team, Blue Ridge was able to conclude that with the coursework Diakite had completed in Guinea and the work he has completed at Blue Ridge he only needed a couple of classes to meet the NCAA eligibility guidelines and Blue Ridge School’s graduation requirements. Diakite has been taking summer classes to finish those requirements in time to enroll at UVA this fall,” the release stated.
Athletic Director Bryan Puckett was quoted in the press release as saying, “Obviously, this is just the beginning for Mamadi, but we are all confident that he will continue to work hard and take advantage of this opportunity. We are all wishing Mamadi the best and hope he knows he will always have a home here at Blue Ridge School.”
Diakite, who enrolled at Blue Ridge in January of 2014, received a scholarship offer from UVa last August and verbally committed to the Cavaliers on Tuesday of this week. In an interview with TheSabre.com, the highly regarded recruit discussed the possibility of enrolling at Virginia this fall.
“Maybe,” Diakite said.
“It doesn’t matter to me if I’m still in [the class of 2016]. I wanted to be done. I’m a UVa commit… so go UVa!”
Should Diakite reclassify and enroll on Grounds this fall, it is likely that he would red-shirt this coming season. Virginia’s 2015/2016 season frontcourt depth chart currently includes seniors Anthony Gill and Mike Tobey, sophomore Isaiah Wilkins, red-shirt freshman Jack Salt and true freshman Jarred Reuter. Junior transfer Austin Nichols is on scholarship as well, though he will red-shirt this coming season and have two years of eligibility remaining beginning in 2016/2017.
