Gonzaga basketball focused on ‘relentless’ progress ahead of 2024/2025 season. Mark Few speech on……
Soon enough, Gonzaga basketball will return. Bulldog supporters will therefore be able to see the new squad for the first time in 2024–25 since Mark Few and his crew added a few quality players through the transfer site.
A bright rising star in the EuroLeague family, one of the latest recruits to the squad is a true freshman. This past season, 7-foot center Ismaila Diagne played for Real Madrid’s U18 team. He averaged 10.2 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 0.9 blocks per game, and he contributed to his team’s victory in the Adidas Next Gen Tournament, which took place in Berlin, Germany, four weeks ago during the EuroLeague Final Four.
The center, Diagne, who was born in Africa, finished the championship game with a 55.6% shooting percentage while assisting Real Madrid in defeating PFBB INSEP Paris by one point.
As he begins his collegiate career, his talents could have taken him anywhere. But, he chose to come to Spokane to play with GU because of the reputation and success they have seen for so many years.
“I chose to come to Gonzaga because it’s a really good program. One memory that I will always remember was in the March Madness of 2021 when [Jalen] Suggs hit the buzzer beater. Ever since then, I was watching them day by day and seeing how their program was leveling up. I also like their tradition and their legacy,” mentions Diagne.
The 17-year-old from Senegal has become the tallest player on GU’s roster, just two inches taller than the 6-foot-10 forwards Ben Gregg and Braden Huff.
While Diagne has played on a competitive stage, he will be a true freshman at Gonzaga. College basketball is a whole different beast, but it will be a great opportunity for him to grow as a player.
“For my first season, I hope to learn a lot about the Gonzaga program and first of all, enjoy every moment I get here and to win everything. That’s the only thing,” mentions Diagne.
Leave a Reply