UCF 5-star center commit Moustapha Thiam reclassifies to 2024 cycle

Daytona Beach (Fla.) DME Academy five-star center and UCF commit Moustapha Thiam has reclassified to the 2024 cycle, according to On3’s Jamie Shaw.

Thiam will remain pledged to the Knights and will enroll in classes next week. He becomes the No. 30 overall prospect and No. 7 center in the 2024 On3 Industry Ranking.

The 7-foot-1, 200-pounder out of Dakar, Senegal has been committed to UCF since October and was ranked as the No. 1 center in the 2025 On3 150.

“He moves in a way that is unique for players his size,” Shaw previously wrote of Thiam. “He can slide his feet, open his hips, run, and jump. Thiam is a good defender, and he has a natural touch with the ball in his hands. Still, with a lot of upside, he is one who mixes current production with a high ceiling still to grow into.”

Moustapha Thiam Scouting Summary

On3 writes this of Thiam as a prospect:

“Moustapha Thiam has legit size with excellent length. The thing that makes him such an intriguing prospect is his quick-twitch mobility. As a true center he is capable of opening his hips, sliding laterally, and recovering on switches. He will need to continue adding strength, which will be interesting as he has a thin base and narrow shoulders. He is a true rim protector, able to affect the play on the ball or from the weak side. He has touch and can knock down a pick and pop jumper with his feet set. Will need to continue polishing the release and balance but that is something potentially in the arsenal. Thiam has good hands on passes thrown at chest level and above. He will need to continue getting game reps to continue advancing his processing. There is legit size with unique traits that set Thiam apart from his peers.”