Moussa Diabate is latest Michigan basketball player drafted

Moussa Diabate surprised some by keeping his name in the 2022 NBA draft but he got the last laugh as he was selected by the Los Angeles Clippers.

It shouldn’t be surprising to anyone that Michigan basketball’s Moussa Diabate got selected in the 2022 NBA draft. He’s raw, but he’s talented and he’s got a role to play in today’s NBA.

Diabate, a former five-star recruit, didn’t get drafted in the first round, but he didn’t have to wait long to hear his name called on Thursday night as the Los Angeles Clippers used the 43rd overall pick on him.

Diabate, who is 6-foot-11 with a huge wingspan, is going to need time to develop in the G-league, probably even more than Caleb Houstan. If Houstan can find a way to consistently make 3-point shots, he will get consistent minutes in the NBA.

Diabate had some great moments last year. He played really well against North Carolina and Iowa on the road. He also struggled at times to catch the ball in the post, as well as with shooting and sometimes finding the right spots on defense.

He’s super athletic though and was one of the best performers at the NBA combine. He can switch onto guards and he’ll be a valuable addition as a ball-screen defender in the professional ranks, where he’ll likely be developed as a five, which is his most natural position.

Diabate and Houstan both could have returned and likely gone in the first round of the 2023 NBA draft but that doesn’t mean that was the best career path. Both players went in the top 43 and there’s a strong chance the Magic and Clippers are going to make strong financial commitments to them.

Second-round contracts aren’t automatically guaranteed like in the first round but teams can give players guarantees and both Houstan and Diabate are likely to get solid contracts.

Best of luck to them both and always, Go Blue!