He has yet to prove that he can be a professional impact basketball player, but Mamadi Diakité has already lined his trophy cabinet. Virginia State Champion with his high school, NCAA champion with Virginia, G-League champion with the Delaware Blue Coats (even if he did not make the playoffs) and NBA champion with the Bucks (although he only played 35 minutes in the postseason), the Guinean was cut a few days ago by Milwaukee.
“It’s business”, estimates the interior (2m06, 24 years old) at The Oklahoman. ” I understand. It’s an experienced team that taught me a lot. Being cut doesn’t mean they hate me, just that they don’t have room for me. In the end, it’s better for me to go elsewhere. “
It must be said that Mamadi Diakité did not go without a contract for long. It was thus immediately recovered by the Thunder, who already had 15 players under contract for the coming season.
“It’s a real rocket athletically”, explains Thunder coach Mark Daigneault. “He’s quick to roll in the circle, he’s really explosive, he has good feet. Lots of rough tools ”.
Juice … but fundamentals to work on
The Guinean is not yet sure to be part of the squad for the season. The Thunder must therefore cut someone and his partially guaranteed contract makes him one of the easiest players to release. In the first preseason game, against the Hornets, he was only allowed 8 minutes, for 3 points (1/4), 2 rebounds and 2 blocks.
“I will continue to fight”, assures the person concerned. “I have been fighting since I was little. I know I have disabilities, but I am an outsider. I will continue to prove everyone wrong. “
In the Thunder, he found a very young team, which can train hard, for a long time and in which he can have time. He also reunited with Ty Jerome, with whom he played in Virginia.
“It brings a lot of juice, but it must also bring fundamentals”, details Mark Daigneault. “This is where he needs to improve”. For Ty Jerome, precisely, it is a well-known refrain for Mamadi Diakité. “It’s his story from Virginia. But I think it’s pretty good to have the energy, and to have to channel it. “
| Mamadi Diakite | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Tirs | 3pts | LF | Off | Def | Until | Pd | Fte | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2020-21 | THOUSAND | 14 | 10 | 40.0 | 12.5 | 78.6 | 0.6 | 1.9 | 2.4 | 0.6 | 1.1 | 0.5 | 0.2 | 0.4 | 3.1 |
| Total | 14 | 10 | 40.0 | 12.5 | 78.6 | 0.6 | 1.9 | 2.4 | 0.6 | 1.1 | 0.5 | 0.2 | 0.4 | 3.1 | |
