2022 NBA Draft Profile: Moussa Diabate
This lengthy French big could give the Hawks a different look in the front-court, introducing Michigan's Moussa Diabate.
Welcome to The Hawks Collective newsletter! Atlanta had a disappointing yet promising season led by the continued stardom of Trae Young, Onyeka Okongwu’s development as the center of the future, and plenty more. The NBA draft takes place on June 23, so we’ll be profiling several players who the Hawks may consider selecting with its No. 16 and No. 44 picks. Today’s subject: Moussa Diabate of Michigan.
Measurements
Height: 6-10
Weight: 216 lbs
Wingspan: 7-2
Draft Age: 20.4 y/o
Statistical Profile
The Basics: 24.9 minutes, 9.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, 0.8 assists
Efficiency: 56.4% on twos, 21.4% on threes, 61.9% on free throws
Advanced: 19.7% usage, 6.2% assist rate, 0.8% steal rate, 3.7% block rate
Misc: 34 dunks, 75.9% at the rim
The Intrigue
High energy rim-running big that can effectively finish at the rim & go coast-to-coast with the ball in his hands.
His face-up game is also very solid as well, despite being a lost art in today’s NBA among role players.
Diabate can be utilized in both a hedge or drop ball-screen defense; his mobility going east-west & north-south is rare for someone with that size.
Areas of Improvement
Diabate is incredibly light, measuring in with the lowest body fat percentage (2.7%) since Aaron Brooks in the 2007 draft combine.
Processing is an obvious issue that comes with lengthy, raw forwards at his age; he often gets happy feet (a term used in football to describe a player moving sporadically) and can be prone to getting into foul trouble.
Shooting is another facet where Diabate struggles at the moment; his left-hand dies out the follow-through causing him to get very little arc on the shot. There’s also a slight hitch that will need to be worked out.
Team Fit
Should the Hawks draft him at 44? Yes
Diabate isn’t the traditional player this front office has targeted with its second-round picks, but maybe it’s time to change it up. Omari Spellman and Edy Tavares are the last two true bigs players the Hawks have rostered with a second-round pick — both of which lacked mobility & the versatility to fit into a modern defensive scheme. Diabate is absolutely an intriguing two-way prospect that could give the Hawks a different look in the front-court alongside Okongwu.