Moustapha Diagne

4/30/01: "Dave Shepherd was supposed to take care of it. The New Mexico assistant came on board with the obvious possibility of an ulterior motive factoring into his hire. The situation: He served as an assistant coach to Leon Spencer at Trinity Valley (TX) JC and had a relationship with 7-0 Senegalese C Moustapha Diagne. Diagne was a key target for the Lobos, and it couldn't have hurt UNM's chances by bringing in Shepherd, who served in the department of basketball operations for New Mexico.

But that plan, if it existed at all, went haywire when Shepherd left Albuquerque in January. It was widely believed that Diagne would sour on the Lobos and end up at one of his other favorites. Such is the nature of a bad break. Fast forward to April. The Lobos had maintained their ties with Moustapha and entered last week as one of five finalists, along with Cincinnati, Alabama, Missouri and Pittsburgh. At the end of last week, UNM coach Fran Frascilla and the Lobo nation received the news they'd been hoping for all year -- Diagne was headed to Albuquerque.

Further adding to the full-circle nature of his recruitment, a coaching change did affect his decision, but not at New Mexico. Louisville's addition of Cincinnati recruiting ace Mick Cronin last month damaged the Bearcats' position with Diagne, a big-time rebounder and shotblocker who ranks among the nation's best juco prospects." - PrepStars

4/28: "Moustapha Diagne, a 7-foot center from Trinity Valley Community College in Athens, Texas, who visited the University of Cincinnati the weekend of April 7-8, announced Friday that he will attend New Mexico. Trinity Valley coach Leon Spencer said that former UC assistant coach Mick Cronin's departure for Louisville was a factor in Diagne's decision. “It wasn't the deciding factor, but it was a factor,” Spencer said. Diagne also visited Missouri, Alabama and Pittsburgh." - Cin Enq

4/27: the KC Star and some New Mexico radio stations are reporting that Diagne has signed with New Mexico. - Mike Ryan

4/27: "With the University of New Mexico hanging on his words, basketball prospect Moustapha Diagne planned to choose one of three colleges this morning, his coach said. The 7-footer from Senegal, West Africa, had set his announcement for noon today, said Leon Spencer, Diagne's coach at Trinity Valley (Texas) Community College. UNM, Missouri and Cincinnati are the suitors. The Lobos want Diagne to shore up an inside game that was lacking in the 2000-01 season. They have been recruiting Diagne since September, when they hired former Trinity Valley assistant Dave Shepherd to an administrative position. Shepherd left the program in January. It appears that all three of Diagne's suitors are looking at recourse prospects in case Diagne signs with another program." - Albq Tribune

4/25: "With craved basketball prospect Moustapha Diagne waiting to make his college decision, the University of New Mexico was expecting 7-foot Mickey Michalec to make an official visit today. Diagne's coach, Leon Spencer, said Monday that his center was planning to take two weeks before deciding on what school he'll attend next season. Diagne has until May 15, the end of the spring signing period, to decide. He took his fifth and final official visit to Missouri last week, and has already visited New Mexico, Pittsburgh, Alabama and Cincinnati." - Albq Tribune

4/21: "The decision of coveted Lobos prospect Moustapha Diagne is near. The 7-foot center from the basketball harbor of Dakar, Senegal, West Africa was scheduled to visit the University of Missouri today, and could decide on the college he'll attend by early next week. New Mexico, Cincinnati and Missouri look to be in the lead for him. He has also visited Alabama and Pittsburgh and is receiving some attention from North Carolina. Lobos coach Fran Fraschilla routinely does not comment on a recruit until he has signed, saying NCAA rules do not allow him to do so. He's likely to not acknowledge Diagne's importance if Diagne goes elsewhere. But make no mistake: Diagne is the most important prospect Fraschilla has recruited in his two seasons at UNM. Fraschilla knows this. He flew to Florida two weeks ago to watch Diagne at a junior college all-star tournament. Diagne is considered a project at best. He has the size, the athletic ability and the footspeed. But he is unpolished, especially on the offensive end.
So why are astute Lobo fans clammoring for his signature? Three reasons: Hakeem Olajuwon, Dikembe Mutombo and Manute Bol. Africa has produced some of the most dominant basketball centers, including those three NBA players. According to Brick Oettinger, a recruiting analyst for Prep Stars, Diagne is in the same class. "Moustapha is that good," he said. "Fran Fraschilla is trying to build a program that will be more competitive and he (Diagne) is one of the top two JC post players in the country." Progression-wise, Diagne might be ahead of Olajuwon, Mutombo and Bol, even though, like many African youngsters, Diagne was a soccer player and didn't pick up a basketball until 1995. Bob Gibbons, a veteran recruiting analyst for The All Star Report, says he expects Diagne to be a legit NBA prospect after two seasons in Division I.
Fraschilla, lauded as a top recruiter since grabbing Ron Artest and Eric Barkley for St. John's, has yet to work that kind of magic in the Land of Enchantment. He has signed top-100 players such as Patrick Dennehy, Zeke Johnson and Jamaal Williams. He has signed a tall player in 6-11 Chad Bell. But he has yet to beat out top programs to ink a program player, a guy who can make UNM a top-25 program.
If the Lobos lose out on Diagne, it won't be for lack of effort. The center at Trinity Valley Community College has been the focal point of the Lobos' recruiting efforts since September, when the program shelled out $25,000 to hire Dave Shepherd to a superfluous UNM administrative assistant post. Shepherd had been an assistant coach at Trinity Valley and was the person responsible for bringing Diagne over to the United States. He left New Mexico in January citing family reasons and returned to his home in Athens, Texas. This week, he told The Trib that he is no longer involved in Diagne's recruitment.
A little while after Shepherd came to UNM, another face appeared in The Pit, that of Aboucar Cisse. When Shepherd left, Cisse took over his office. Bill McGillis, UNM's associate athletics director, said during the season that Cisse was not on the basketball staff. Cisse said that he was from Dakar and coached the Senegalese junior national basketball program, which he said pays him to represent the country's ballplayers in the United States. He said he came to New Mexico as part of a coach mentoring program begun by Fraschilla.
When asked during the season about Diagne, a member of the Senegalese junior national team, Cisse responded: "I don't know Moustapha. There's 40-45 players from Senegal (in the United States). I can't keep track of all of them." Leon Spencer, Trinity Valley's head coach, said that neither Shepherd nor Cisse will have any effect on Diagne's decision. But Cisse's presence at the University of North Carolina in 1995 came just before Senegalese-born Makhtar Ndiaye transferred to the school from Michigan.
Spencer has said he would prefer that Diagne attend a program where he would redshirt next season. He said that would help Diagne's professional prospects. But there's slim chance of Diagne redshirting at New Mexico. As it stands now, sophomore-to-be Patrick Dennehy and junior college signee Cody Payne are the only players who look to get substantial minutes down low. At 6-6, incoming freshman Jamaal Williams was a small forward in high school and is too small to play center in college. Chad Bell, another incoming frosh, is too raw on offense to expect much playing time next season. If Diagne decides on New Mexico, he'll start, probably immediately, allowing Bell to be integrated over the course of the season and Williams to play his more natural position.
There are several outside factors that could sway Diagne toward New Mexico:
- The decision of the College of Southern Idaho's Uche Okafor. Okafor, a 7-footer from Nigeria, visited Missouri last week and might pick the Tigers before Diagne does. It's unlikely Missouri would sign both.
- The possible transfer of Cincinnati's Antwan Jones. Cincinnati has no scholarship to offer Diagne. Jones, a junior power forward for the Bearcats this past season, is the most likely player to transfer. If he does, Cincinnati has some cards to deal. Also, the Cincinnati Enquirer has speculated that Bearcats head coach Bob Huggins is interested in the Cleveland Cavaliers' head coaching vacancy.
- The decision of Simplice Njoya. Njoya, a native of Cameroon, committed to UNLV but decided to re-open his recruiting after the Rebels hired Charlie Spoonhour to replace Max Good as head coach.
There's a possibility of Njoya committing to North Carolina, which is in need of a center to replace Brendon Haywood. He might also stick with the Rebels, in which case North Carolina might go after Diagne. Gibbons said that Diagne's signature would give New Mexico a top 10-15 recruiting class nationally. Fraschilla has visited Diagne several times in the past two months, as has assistant coach Joe Dooley.
So, the bottom line: New Mexico's chance of landing Diagne is good. Without him, UNM's chance of landing in the Sweet Sixteen by 2003 isn't." - Albq Tribune

4/20: "North Carolina coaches were still checking out Trinity Valley's 7-footer Moustapha Diagne. He's likely going to either Missouri, New Mexico or Cincinnati" - ESPN, Andy Katz

4/13: "Moustapha Diagne, a 7-foot center from Trinity Valley (Texas) Junior College who is highly sought by the Lobos, was still planning to visit Cincinnati today, his coach said on Thursday. Leon Spencer said Diagne is planning to visit Missouri on the weekend of April 20. He wasn't sure if he would take his fifth official visit after that." - Albq Tribune

4/13: "Diagne is also expected to be a key contributor, but his progress was slowed as a freshman due to a broken elbow and a sprained ankle that forced him to miss half the season. He also does not have a strong grasp of the English language, being that he is a native of Africa, and has been in the country for only five years.
Diagne visited Pitt this past weekend. It was the third of his five official visits, which also included stops at Alabama and New Mexico. He will complete his tour of college campuses with visits to Cincinnati and Missouri, then make a decision in the next week or two. Diagne averaged 15 points and 10 rebounds as a sophomore this past season and shot 63 percent from the field. He is athletic for a player his size and has a good outside shot, with range up to 15 feet. He would help give Pitt a strong inside presence along with 6-10 center Toree Morris, who showed some promise this past season as a freshman. Diagne would also help fill a void left by the departure of center Isaac Hawkins, the Panthers' leading rebounder and shot blocker last season. "He won't decide until all his visits are done," said Leon Spencer, who coached Diange at Trinity Valley. "We'll sit down and make a check list and see what he wants to do. He liked Pitt and he liked the other places he visited. We'll see what happens." Spencer described Diange as a raw talent with a possible future in the NBA. "His sport was soccer until he had a big growth spurt and started playing basketball five years ago," Spencer said. "The Dallas Mavericks have seen him and they like him. He just needs more time." - Pittsburg Tribune

4/11: "To address those needs (New Mex Coach Fran) Fraschilla has been tracking down big men. One of those big men is Moustapha Diagne, a 7-0 foot center from Trinity Valley Community College in Athens, Texas. However, Diagne has at least one more visit scheduled and is looking at setting up two more official visits before the process is completed. Diagne will visit Cincinnati April 13-15, and will choose from among Pittsburgh, West Virginia and Missouri for his final two visits. Diagne visited New Mexico and Alabama last fall. Diagne, a native of the Senegal, averaged 14.5 points per game, eight rebounds per game and shot 63 percent from the floor this season. He is considered a work in progress from an offensive standpoint." - Loboland.com

4/8: "Missouri is in elite company in the race to sign either 7-foot center Moustapha Diagne of Trinity Valley Community College in Athens, Texas or Uche Okafor, a 6-foot-11 big man from the College of Southern Idaho. Diagne (pronounced John) has whittled his list of choices to five colleges according to his coach and the Tigers are still very much in the running along with Cincinnati, Pitt, West Virginia, and Alabama. "Missouri is definitely in the top five I’d say," TVCC coach Leon Spencer said Thursday. "He’s still got three visits left so his decision will probably not come before that. He’s going to Pitt this weekend and then he’s playing in a junior college all-star game in Florida next week. He’ll go Cincinnati next weekend and either Missouri or West Virginia after that. "A lot of schools came in on him late. North Carolina came in to evaluate him, but I’m not sure he was what they needed and Kentucky came in and I told them it was too late. Missouri hasn’t been there the whole time, but they weren’t late." Spencer, who is the winningest junior college coach in Texas history, doesn’t expect the post player from Senegal, West Africa to make an immediate impact at the Division I level. "He’s still pretty raw and green," Spencer said. "He’s only been playing basketball for five years so potential is his greatest asset. He needs to gain strength in his lower body so he could use a redshirt year. If I was getting him as a Division I coach, I’d redshirt him." Diagne averaged 14.5 points, 8.7 rebounds and 3.5 blocks for the Cardinals this year. Aside from his need to grow stronger and more familiar with the game, Spencer can’t recommend Diagne more highly. "He runs, jumps and shoots real well - he shot over 60 percent from the field this season for us," Spencer said. "I had Shawn Kemp here and he’s not a Kemp at this stage, but he’s got all the tools. He’s a good kid, smart and works really hard." - Columbia (Mo.) Daily Tribune

3/27: "Cincinnati has been on 7-0 Trinity Valley C.C. center Moustapha Diagne since the summer, so it comes as no surprise that he will visit the Conference USA program in April. Diagne, a 7-0 foot center from Trinity Valley C.C. in Athens, Tex., has set up an OFFICIAL VISIT to the University of Cincinnati. Diagne will visit the Queen City from April 13-15, according to TVCC Head Coach Leon Spencer. In the fall, Diagne took visits to New Mexico and Alabama. Those two programs are still involved, and he is considering three more programs for his final two official visits. Spencer said that Pittsburgh, West Virginia and Missouri are the three programs vying for the final two visits. "I think he will make his decision from one of those schools," Spencer said, referring to the final six of New Mexico, Alabama, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, West Virginia and Missouri. Diagne, who is a native of the Senegal, averaged 14.5 points, eight rebounds and shot 63 percent from the floor this season. Diagne runs the floor well and is still a work in progress from an offensive standpoint, though he has improved significantly in his two years at Trinity Valley." - Juco Junction

3/27: "Moustapha Diagne, a 7- foot, 220-pound center from Trinity Valley Community College in Athens, Texas, is SCHEDULED TO VISIT UC the weekend of April 14, his coach Leon Spencer said. Diagne, a native of Senegal, West Africa, averaged 14.5 points, eight rebounds and five blocks. He has visited Alabama and New Mexico." - Enquirer

3/24: "On the recruiting trail, the staff is looking for a big man who can score and has honed in on 7-foot sophomore Moustapha Diagne of Trinity Valley Junior College in Athens, Texas, and 6-9 power forward Pervis Pasco of Pensacola Junior College of Pensacola, Fla. "We have to get some inside guys who are going to rebound every once," Huggins said." - CincyPost.com

3/20: "Trinity Valley Community College coach Leon Spencer said Monday that Moustapha Diagne is planning to take an official visit to Cincinnati before deciding on his destination for next season. The 7-foot Diagne is considering New Mexico, Alabama, Cincinnati, North Carolina, Pittsburgh, Oregon and Miami, FL." (It was also mentioned he would likely visit New Mex as well) - Albq Tribune

3/3: Diagne scored 11 points in a win against Tyler.

3/2: "A coach at Trinity Valley Community College in Texas said Moustapha Diagne is still considering the University of New Mexico, contrary to an Internet report. Rob Harrington, a recruiting analyst for Prepstars Recruiter's Handbook, reported this week that the 7-foot center had narrowed his list of choices to Missouri, Oregon, and Cincinnati. Not so, says TVCC assistant Danny Hughes, who told The Tribune on Thursday that Diagne's recruiting status is "still way up in the air." Prepstars said Thursday that the information on Diagne was provided by somebody on the Trinity Valley staff. But Hughes said nobody from Trinity Valley's basketball staff had been contacted by Prepstars. Also, Russ Blake, a recruiting analyst for JucoJunction.com, is reporting that Dave Shepherd, the former basketball operations director at UNM, looks to be a leading candidate for the head coaching job at Howard Junior College in Lee, Texas. Shepherd is a former assistant at Trinity Valley and was responsible for bringing Diagne to the school. Shepherd was hired by UNM last August, but left the team in January, citing family problems. Shepherd did not return phone messages left at his home Thursday. Trinity Valley, which began the season ranked in the NJCAA top-25 but was not ranked in the final poll, is in a three-way tie for second place in the Region XIV Conference. The Cardinals won the conference title in 1999. Hughes said that Diagne met with coaches from the Senegal national team last week and plans to play for the touring squad this season. Diagne scored 10 points in an 86-76 loss at Panola Junior College on Wednesday. The Cardinals are 20-9 overall, 13-8 in league play." - Albq Tribune

2/28: "Diagne is indeed one of the top center prospects in the JUCO ranks. It was made clear to me early on that Diagne would sign late, but I believe we had an update on Moustapha back in October or November. I plan on having another one soon. The schools I hear him associated with most are Cincinnati, Mississippi State and Pittsburgh." - Juco Junction

2/27: "Diagne, the Cardinals' 7-0 post, had a quiet game. Diagne missed his first six shots en route to a nine-point performance." - Athens Review

2/22: Diagne is 13th in the country amongst Juco's in rebounding at 8.6 pg.

2/21: Diagne scored 13 pts and 9 rebs in a win over Angelina College. "The win boosted the Cardinals' season record to 20-7 and represented Leon Spencer's 750th career win. Spencer, the winningest coach in Texas junior college basketball history, is now 750-397. In Spencer's 37 years at the TVCC helm, the Cardinals have won 20 or more games in a season 21 times." - Athens Review

2/17: Diagne scored 18 in a 83-76 win over Kilgore.

1/29: "But Shepherd, who resigned from UNM two weeks ago, said Sunday that the Lobos prospects at landing prized prospect Moustapha Diagne could be affected. "I assume my leaving will affect (Diagne's) decision," Shepherd said. Before coming to New Mexico four months ago, Shepherd was an assistant coach at Trinity Valley Community College, where Diagne is currently in his sophomore season. Shepherd helped bring Diagne from west Africa to the Athens, Texas junior college two years ago. Trinity Valley already had one player from Dakar, Senegal -- Khadim Khandji, a sophomore at Trinity Valley. "Diagne (would be) an impact player (for New Mexico) based on what I have seen," Shepherd said. "He's an athletic shot-blocker who can run the floor." Shepherd did not know whether Diagne, a 7-foot center, would qualify academically to play for a Division I school, saying his academic situation is "still up in the air." Diagne could also declare himself eligible for the NBA draft, Shepherd said. As New Mexico's director of basketball operations, NCAA rules prohibited Shepherd from recruiting or contacting potential Lobo players. Diagne said in October that Shepherd's presence in Albuquerque was the main reason New Mexico remained high on his priority list. "I told Moustapha I was coming (to New Mexico), but I said that it was his decision," Shepherd said. Diagne is also being recruited by Cincinnati, Louisville, Mississippi State, Oregon and Alabama." - Albq Tribune

1/27: "it's quite doubtful that he will go to New Mexico with the departure of Dave Shepherd from the Lobo staff recently. Others involved include Alabama, CINCINNATI, Mississippi State and Kentucky." - Juco Junction

1/27: Diagne is averaging 15 ppg and shooting 62% from the field and 68% from the line. His 15ppg puts him at 20th in the 22 team league. He is averaging 8.5 rebs pg, good enough for 8th in the league.

1/26: listed as a "Tier One" juco (the highest rating) along with Hiram Fuller, Chris Massie and Darmetrius Kilgore. - PrepStars

1/18: listed as one of the five best Juco centers in the country, along with Pervis Pasco. - Brick O.

1/11/01: "The big blows that led the Cards' to victory came from the biggest guy on the floor - 7-0 center Moustapha Diagne. With 4:47 to go in the game, Diagne took a pass from Javorie Wilson and hit a turnaround jumper in the lane to give TVCC a 63-58 lead. Moments later, it was Diagne again, this time throwing down a dunk from Johnson's alley-oop pass to increase the lead to seven. Diagne followed with another turnaround jumper, and Wilson hit a layup at the 2:43 mark to cap the Cards' 8-0 run. Diagne and Wilson each had a team-high 12 points. Diagne recorded another double-double by grabbing 10 boards. He also blocked three shots." - School website

1/5/01: "New Mexico, CINCINNATI, Alabama and a host of other high major programs are courting Diagne this winter. He is currently averaging 15.8 points and 8.1 rebounds per game. He is also shooting 70.2 percent from the field, and 75.6 percent from the charity stripe. He visited UNM and Bama early, but will save his other trips for after the season." - Russ Blake, Juco Junction

12/17/00: Listed as the 15th best center in the country on a list that included HS'ers (Eddy Curry was #1), Juco players and all college Centers (BJ Grove was listed at 46).
"May not qualify for college. He is a good athlete that runs well and does all of the things a center should, but needs weight and work on offensive skills. One of the best juco players this year." - NBADraftReport.com

12/15: Listed as the 5th best Juco player, regardless of position. - NBADraft Report

11/18: "The Bearcats have two scholarships available and will concentrate on big men and the best available players. Their main target is 7-foot center Moustapha Diagne from Trinity Valley Community College in Athens, Texas" - Enquirer.com

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One factor in Diagne's recruitment is the fact New Mexico hired his former JC coach as an assistant in the Summer of 2000.

Another factor in Diagne's recruitment may be that Chad Bell, a 6-11 HS kid out of LA CAL, has committed to New Mexico. His number one reason for committing to New Mex was "playing time". I would imagine that he'd be ticked if New Mexico signed Diagne. Bell may have a say. - Mike Ryan
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11/10: "On Wednesday, (New Mexico Coach)Fraschilla received the papers from Chad Bell... On Thursday, Fraschilla held a news conference. Fraschilla said Bell, who has been called seven feet by many recruiting services, actually is "6-11 or so, maybe a little taller." Either way, he could be the tallest member of the team next season, depending on UNM's spring recruiting. Bell is a senior at Westchester High in Inglewood, Calif., where he averaged 14 points, eight rebounds and three blocks a game for coach Ed Azzam last season. He also carries a 3.5 grade-point average. The Lobos still have one scholarship open and are pursuing 7-foot center Moustapha Diagne of Trinity Valley (Texas) Community College. " - Albq Journal (snipped)

10/25: "it also looks like the Bearcats are going to go hard after the best player they realistically have a chance to get, who is still available. So now that Torbert is gone, 7'0 Moustapha Diagne from Trinity Valley (JC) TX, who is ranked as the #2 center in the junior college ranks by Rick Ball in the Sporting News Pre-Season Yearbook, becomes a top priority. However, we don't look for Diagne to sign with the Bearcats until spring." - HoopScoop

10/17: "This Friday, Chris Jackson, a 7-foot senior from Los Alamos High and Diagne, a 7-foot sophomore from Trinity Valley (Texas) Community College, will make OFFICIAL recruiting VISITS to Albuquerque. The Lobos, who desperately need help inside, could be the front-runners for both of the big men. Jackson, who made a trip to Utah over the weekend, has said that he would love to play close to home. Diagne used to play under Trinity assistant coach Dave Shepherd, who was hired over the summer at UNM as an assistant. Bell, Jackson and Diagne all have been listed by various recruiting services as anywhere from 6-10 to 7 feet." - ABQ Journal

9/22/00: "a 7-0, 236 pound center prospect from Trinity Valley C.C. in Athens, Tex., has a host of high major programs pursuing him this fall. According to TVCC Head Coach Leon Spencer, Diagne is primarily considering six schools this fall. Those schools are Alabama, New Mexico, Mississippi State, Louisville, Oregon and CINCINNATI. Miami and Virginia Commonwealth are also trying with Diagne, but are currently not in the top six. Kentucky has also called on Diagne this fall, but the Wildcats appear to be a longshot at this stage. "I told (Ky. Asst Coach) George Felton that it probably would not be a good idea for them to try and recruit him, because they were a little late," Spencer said. "Some of these other guys have been hitting him for a year." Many observers had assumed that New Mexico might be the frontrunner in the Diagne sweepstakes due to the Lobos' recent hiring of former Trinity Valley Asst Coach Dave Shepherd. "I don't know who is the frontrunner right now," Spencer said. "He's got Cincinnati, Mississippi State, Louisville and Oregon working him pretty hard, but I honestly think he's wide open." Diagne took his first official visit to Alabama from Sept. 8-9, and his next trip will be to New Mexico from Oct. 13-15. Those will be Diagne's only two trips of the fall, as Spencer expects his Senegalese big man to sign late. "He had nothing but positive things to say about his visit to Alabama," Spencer said. Diagne is an extremely mobile big man who is a proficient shotblocker and rebounder. He averaged just over three points per game last year, but showed enough potential that many high majors have been on him seriously for quite some time now." - Juco Junction

9/9/00: VISITED ALABAMA