In less than 48 hours after losing in the Sweet 16 to Alabama, the BYU basketball team has already added their first piece of the offseason in Dominique Diomande.
The 19-year-old phenom committed to the Washington Huskies last year, however, he didn’t end up playing due to several factors.
It’s been reported that the first issue was with his international credits that didn’t transfer over. He ended up having to take some online classes in the fall in order to be eligible. In addition, Diomande ended up having visa issues as well which didn’t allow him to get to campus until mid-January.
With all the delays, Washington head coach Danny Sprinkle — who used to coach at Utah State — talked with Diomande and the two agreed that it would be best for him to redshirt.
“I know everybody wants to see him and all that, but I got to be fair to him and fair to the team, too,” Sprinkle said. “And at the end of the day, he’s got to earn it. I don’t care who it is. I don’t care if LeBron James is here, you got to come and earn it, then you’re going to play.”
Before signing with Washington last year, Diomande was projected to be a second round draft pick in several mock drafts.
With athleticism off the charts, combined with his frame (6-foot-8, 200 pounds), Diomande is highly talented player that will come in and immediately contribute. With Mawot Mag now gone due to graduation, combined with Kanon Catching in the transfer portal — and I don’t see him coming back — adding a versatile wing was a key priority for BYU and the Cougars did just that.
During the 2023-24 season playing in the France-ProA U21 league, Diomande averaged 16.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.8 steals per game. You can watch his highlights here and here.
The only thing he needs to work on is his 3-point shooting where he averaged just over 30% during the 23-24 season at ADA Blois. Other than that, he’s a great passer, rebounder, can finish around the rim, and can get to the basket whenever he wants.
I expect the Cougars to land several more notable players in the transfer portal. With the departures of four seniors (Mag, Trevin Knell, Fousseyni Traore and Trey Stewart), combined with Catchings leaving and likely Egor Demin leaving too (if he’s a lottery pick), the Cougars will need to fill two more spots alongside the star-studded freshman class in (AJ Dybantsa, Xavion Staton and Chamberlain Burgess).
Diomande will make a great fit as an athletic wing that can get it done on both ends of the floor. With Richie Saunders and AJ Dybantsa expected to garner all the attention next year, it will open up lanes and space for Diomande, Dawson Baker, Dallin Hall and whoever else BYU decides to bring in.
And if Demin decides to return — oh boy! — the Cougars would instantly have one of the most talented rosters in the nation.
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