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Michigan forward Moussa Diabate will remain in the NBA Draft

Chris Balasby: Chris Balas06/01/22Balas_Wolverine
Michigan basketball forward Moussa Diabate
Michigan freshman Moussa Diabate will be a one-and-done at U-M. C. Morgan Engel/NCAA Photos via Getty Images.

Michigan forward Moussa Diabate has decided to remain in the NBA Draft and will forego his remaining collegiate eligibility. The freshman leaves after one season in which he averaged 9.0 points and 6.0 rebounds per game.

RELATED: Michigan wing Caleb Houstan up in mock drafts, Moussa Diabate down

There has been no news yet on Michigan wing Caleb Houstan. He has until tonight at midnight to decide whether to remain in the draft or return for his sophomore season.

Diabate tested well at the NBA Draft combine and had one solid scrimmage with 10 points and 11 rebounds. He seemed determine to give the pros a shot since earlier this year. He also made it clear in recent weeks he was serious.

“You can’t come in and think you’re just going to work through the workouts and people are just going to love you,” Diabate told the Big Ten Network. “You definitely have to show them that you want to be here and that you’re committed. That’s a big thing. 

“Some teams probably see some players on the court or outside and they don’t think they’re really committed. I definitely think I’m the opposite of that.”

Potential is what might make the Michigan forward draftable

Diabate still has work to do as a basketball player. If he’s drafted, though — and that’s still a big ‘if’ given where he’s appeared in recent mocks — it’s going to be on potential. He finished first or second among centers in the the shuttle, springs, standing vertical, lane agility and maximum vertical at the combine.

In shooting drills, the Michigan forward made 44 percent of his shots. That ranked 27th out of 36 participants. He made 63 percent off the dribble, which tied for 12th, but both performances put him in the top three among the eight centers.

“Throughout the drills and stuff like that, I definitely showed I have potential in my shooting,” the Michigan frosh said. “And obviously, I showed them pretty much what I can do, being able to play defense and guarding multiple positions.

“It’s definitely going to improve my stock because, at the end of the day, when you do good in the testing, I think the team can trust you more. They see potential, and probably I’ve shown them something they were surprised about that they probably didn’t think I had in me.”

Michigan has several options to replace him, including redshirt freshman Will Tschetter and true freshman Tarris Reed. Houstan, too, could play at the four if he decides to return. Several mocks have him going in the first or second round, however.

Watch for more on this development in the hours and days to come.

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