Malik Dia, 2022 power forward, commits to Vanderbilt

Malik Dia, a 6-foot-7 power forward out of Nashville (Tenn.) Ensworth has committed to Vanderbilt basketball for the class of 2022, he tells On3.

Dia is the Commodores’ fourth commitment of the 2022 class, following four-star center Lee Dort, four-star point guard Noah Shelby, and point guard Presley Patterson. Undeniably, Head coach Jerry Stackhouse and Vandy now have a top-15 recruiting class for 2022.

Evidently, Malik Dia chose to stay home and play for Vanderbilt over Marquette, Georgia, Loyola-Chicago, Murray State, and Western Kentucky.

Malik Dia on why he chose Vanderbilt

“I have decided to commit to Vanderbilt,” Dia said. “Coach (Jerry) Stackhouse, Coach (Michael) Curry…I feel like they all want what’s best for me. They see that I can thrive in their system and become a better basketball player. Not only that but also help their program. I want to bring a winning mentality and I want to make sure we turn the program around and that we become one of the best teams in the SEC. And that I prove myself as one of the best players.”

Jerry Stackhouse is in his third year as head coach at Vanderbilt. The Commodores have finished at the bottom of the SEC the past two seasons. Stackhouse needs to turn this program around, and fast, or his job could be in danger. Vandy’s star, Scotty Pippen Jr., will return to Nashville for his junior season after averaging over 20 points a game last year.

Hopefully, this is Vandy’s year for improvement.