(01-10-2018 05:30 PM)WKUYG Wrote: Western just got MOUSTAPHA DIAGNE ruled eligible ...the 6'9 kid sitting out because of the NCAA. That short bench and inside players just got longer.
I say 'kid' but I really mean old man....he doesn't look 19
![[Image: Moustapha_Diagne_headshot.jpg?width=300]](http://www.wkusports.com/images/2017/10/27/Moustapha_Diagne_headshot.jpg?width=300)
He’s no kid by any means. I went back to watch video on him. There was an interview with his high school coach. He said that Diagne arrived in the school as a 17 year old sophomore. That would put him at 19 graduating high school. 20 the one year he played juco. 21 last year arriving here and now 22.
So he’s a man. Sad story about his dad dying in Senegal when Moustapha had been here in the states for 6 months. I didn’t lose my dad until I was 54. Tough to lose your pops when you’re this young.
I have a buddy who was huge friends with asst. coach Cheeks last year. All Cheeks talked about was how good Moustapha is. This same guy is good friends with Stansbury. Stans has told him in the past that Moustapha was our best big and that included when we had Mitchell Robinson on board.
I watched him play in the Red-White scrimmage game. I didn’t see anything that made me snap my head. I thought he had a good stroke on his free throws. Good hands which is always huge for a big. I didn’t see what I’d consider game changing athleticism out of him but this was a one scrimmage snapshot for me.
Cheeks and Stans saw him all the time. They know his skill set way better than I’d ever dream. I’m thrilled he was cleared. I certainly never expected it to happen. When they cleared Josh last week I had a little hope of maybe, just maybe they’ll do the same for Moo. Didn’t expect though. Thrilled it happened though.
Should help out both Dwight and JJ. Both can get after it a little more on dee with this guy on the bench. No need to play reckless as this team doesn’t play dee that way anyhoo. But maybe go after a few more blocks.
He’s listed at 6’9 and 230 on Western’s site. He looks a legit 6’9 when I’ve seen him next to Coleby. And like Josh, he’s been practicing with this team all year. This is not some stranger rolling into the gym. He’s a teammate that should know the moves of his other teammates. Josh looked as natural as you could with the guys Saturday at Marshall. I hope the same happens with Moustapha.
![[Image: ff4599aa0f1c33c2bdd95afb78faf0e432cfeec0...ab9240.jpg]](http://s2.quickmeme.com/img/ff/ff4599aa0f1c33c2bdd95afb78faf0e432cfeec07bf3d032dd295cc38fab9240.jpg)
