Moussa Diabate gets NBA combine invite: what it means to Michigan
Michigan forward Moussa Diabate received a coveted NBA Draft Combine invite and will make his way to Chicago May 18. There, he’ll do what he can to impress coaches and scouts, after which he’ll decide whether to stay in the draft or return to U-M for his sophomore season.
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Diabate, Michigan wing Caleb Houstan and others have until June 1 to withdraw their names and return to their schools. Houstan has yet to receive a Combine invited, but could also be asked to the G-League camp in the days preceding the Combine. A select few from that camp are also invited to the Combine in the days following.
Diabate made the All-Big Ten freshman team (coaches) after averaging 9.0 points and 6.0 rebounds per game last year. The former five-star out of Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy started 26 of the 32 games in which he appeared, replacing veteran Brandon Johns in the starting lineup early in his career.
The 6-10 forward scored a career-high 28 points in leading Michigan past Iowa in Iowa City Feb. 17, going 12-for-16 from the floor. He notched 13 double-figure scoring games and led the Wolverines with 76 offensive rebounds.
What Diabate’s invite means for Michigan
That he’s one step closer to being a one-and-done with the Wolverines.
Though he’s still a “project,” many believe in his upside. He hasn’t been playing basketball that long, still learning the game, and simply needs experience in the view of some close to him.
He could get that at Michigan, of course. But ideally, he’d back up center Hunter Dickinson and see spot time at the four. If he were to go professional, he could spend all his time honing his game and preparing for a long pro career.
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There was talk halfway through the season Diabate wasn’t long for Michigan, and that hasn’t waned. “It only takes one team” to believe in you, to give that opportunity — see Golden State and Jordan Poole in the first round a few years back. And there’s talk that some NBA teams are willing to give Diabate that chance.
Opinion here — it would be a pleasant surprise if Diabate returned for his sophomore year. But — we’ve been surprised before (see: Dickinson, who admitted after last year’s flirtation he expected his sophomore season at Michigan to be his last).
About the NBA Draft Combine
Sixty players receive NBA Draft Combine invites, determined by voting from NBA front office members. The Combine runs May 18 through 20 in Chicago, where players are tested in several areas and also participate in games.
The G-League Elite Camp takes place on May 16 and 17 and includes the next 40 next best players. Last year, Dickinson and Michigan guard DeVante’ Jones played at the G-League Camp and performed well.
