I made the trip to Phoenix over the weekend with 4-star commit Frankie Collins and the majority of Michigan targets participating in the inaugural Border League. This event brought together several powerhouse teams from the West Coast, along with IMG Academy (FL), which features 2022 Jett Howard and several offered prospects.  

The first in a three-part series divvied up by position group, today’s piece will examine the bigs with new film, evaluation and the latest on Michigan’s involvement. Tuesday we touched on Frankie Collins and the guards here, while yesterday focused on Jett Howard and the wings. 

Moussa Diabate Makes A Statement

Competition Level: 2021 Pepperdine commit Carson Basham (Sunnyslope HS) and 2021 Providence commit Legend Geeter (Coronado HS) 

Stock Status: Up

Evaluation: When I last viewed 2021 Moussa Diabate at the DC Hoopfest in December 2019, he was essentially a 5-star athlete with a good motor. Fast forward nearly a year and he’s made significant strides with his skillset that make him one of the very best prospects in America.  

Diabate was the best big at the event, which included #1 overall Chet Holmgren (more below) and 5star Oregon commit Nate Bittle. As I mentioned above, he displayed outstanding athleticism with a great physical profile. He measured in at 6.8’5 with a 7’1 wingspan…as a freshman at the 2018 Nike Elite 100. He’s likely in the 6’10 range now and around 200 pounds. Moussa moves extremely well laterally, and was comfortable switching on the perimeter to defend guards for a few dribbles. His size, length and athleticism all stood out as he high-pointed rebounds in traffic. Diabate blocked shots as a helpside rim protector and closing out on shooters as well.

While his natural physical gifts are unquestionably great, the improved perimeter skill from Moussa had everyone buzzing. Diabate looked really good shooting the ball from the perimeter, knocking down multiple triples with good elevation and nice form. The biggest development was undoubtedly his ability to create shots off the bounce from the wing. The play starting at roughly the :12 second mark is absolutely insane for a 6’10 HS prospect. Moussa blows-by 2022 AJ Storr (Offers from Virginia Tech, Ole Miss and a multiple mid-majors), attacks the paint and delivers a precision shovel pass to a teammate in a tight window while being surrounded by 4 defenders. His passing/playmaking was approaching guard level off the bounce and in stationary positions all weekend long. 

Diabate still put his superior athleticism to good use. On the first possession in the clip above, he absolutely blew by a defender from the wing before hammering down an impressive dunk. He also caught lobs and finished in traffic on dumpoffs and rebounds. His hands are great as well, as he caught everything tossed his way in traffic or not. A play that really stood out to me that may not necessarily mean anything to the casual eye commenced at the :48 second mark. 2022 Jaden Bradley delivers the ball to a sprinting Moussa, who catches the ball just inside the free throw line with a defender waiting to take a charge. He changes direction on the drop of a dime, avoids the offensive foul and lays the ball in with soft touch. That level of body control and quick twitch ability in tight spaces is what makes him a special prospect because it cannot be taught. 

There is no question in my mind that Diabate is very undervalued by the mainstreams at #20 by 247 and #29 by Rivals. He’s a no-brainer 5-star that should be a top 10ish prospect. Moussa is my number one choice for a big in 2021, over Holmgren, Reid and Bediako. He’s the prototype big in modern basketball that can play either the PF or C position and is compatible with any lineup combination. He’s going to be an instant impact player at the collegiate level and will likely be in the NBA sooner rather than later. 

Recruitment: one of the quietest recruitments you’ll ever see from a prospect of this caliber. Diabate doesn’t talk at all, and Eric Bossi of 247 essentially admitted yesterday that nobody knows anything here. Jett Howard is obviously his HS teammate and I suspect Michigan will hang around until the end here. Although I have no inside information, my gut tells me the G League will pursue Moussa. 

[After THE JUMP: Chet Holmgren, the latest on Efton Reid/Charles Bediako and a 2022 big to pursue]

The Polarizing Effect of Chet Holmgren

Competition Level: squared off versus 2021 Providence commit Legend Geeter (Coronado HS) and 2021 Nebraska commit Wilhelm Breidenbach (Mater Dei HS)

Stock Status: Slightly Down

Evaluation: I’ve seen a ton of Chet over the last 2 years, and I’ve never been quite as high on him in relation to the mainstreams. This outing left me with the same impression. Holmgren is an outstanding prospect, but not the best player in America. I just don’t know how much impact he’ll have in college considering his frame and style of play. He feels like a kid you bet on being solid by the time he gets a second contract in the NBA. 

At a legit 7 feet, Chet displayed tremendous perimeter skill all weekend long. He was really impressive facing-up from the wing using rip-throughs and jab-steps before attacking off the bounce and finishing at the rim. He knocked down a catch and shoot three off a flare screen after setting a ballscreen at the :13 second mark in the clip above. And while he wasn’t at his best from distance, I’ve seen enough of Holmgren to know he’s a legit shooter. 

His highs are absolutely higher than nearly anyone in the country, but he did have some struggles, particularly finishing around the rim. Chet was the biggest player on the court by a wide margin and repeatedly missed chip shots around the basket. He was bumped off his spot consistently when trying to establish post position. Holmgren was off-balance on several possessions and fell on a few occasions. He’s simply not strong enough to absorb contact, even from players that are considerably smaller than he is. 

Defensively is where he made his biggest impact. Chet’s size/length is a huge weapon in protecting the rim. He barely had to leave his feet to block/alter shots, particularly when he’s in drop coverage. His timing is outstanding and he rarely fouls when attempting to block shots. He’s not necessarily a great athlete, not bad by any means at that size, but guards can certainly blow by him if he blitzes or attempts to trap high. 

In sum, Holmgren has elite perimeter skill for a prospect of his size, but he’s not the #1 overall prospect in the country for me. He’s a legit 5-star with a ton of questions as to whether his game will translate when he needs to add at least 30-40 pounds of muscle mass in order to excel at the college level, particularly in the B10. For perspective, Colin Castleton had a nice skillset, but he was bullied rather easily by B10 foes while being considerably bigger than Chet. Opposing defenses at the college level will be able to play smaller defenders on him because the lack of strength/mass means he can’t punish said players in the paint and that will negate any perimeter advantage he would have versus more traditional bigs. 

Recruitment: Michigan is in the final 7. Dad played for Minnesota. My sources tell me that Gonzaga is in really strong position here. Frankly, I think that is the best fit for him as well. G League may be an option. In any event, it is an extreme long shot that he ends up in Ann Arbor. 

Status Quo on Efton Reid and Charles Bediako

I checked in with my sources yesterday and all remains the same. Michigan is in a functional top 3 for top 40 big Efton Reid along with Ohio State and Pitt. Kentucky is peaking around.

Meanwhile, it seems that Charles Bediako to Alabama is all but a done deal. 

In the same Eric Bossi piece referenced above, he seems to be getting similar intel. On Reid:

“A member of IMG’s post grad team, Reid also looks likely to take his time while sorting things out. Michigan and Ohio State get the most buzz with the Virginia native. Kentucky has been kicking the tires but hasn’t yet offered. Don’t rule out Reid looking into professional possibilities as well.”

On Bediako:

“Bediako hasn’t yet announced a commitment date but word behind the scenes has been that he should decide by the end of the early signing period. An early decision isn’t a lock, but it also shouldn’t go too much beyond the end of the period (Nov. 18th) if he doesn’t sign early. Alabama looks to be in really good shape for the imposing post presence from Canada.”

Bediako to Alabama isn’t all bad, as a commitment to Nate Oats would put them in a very tight spot with respect to scholarship openings. Likely one less obstacle for Caleb Houstan, although I’m hearing that Alabama isn’t necessarily the primary competition at this point. 

Also, with the NCAA giving seniors an extra year of eligibility, the need for a big in 2021 isn’t quite as pressing. Squeezing an extra year out of Austin Davis mitigates the need a bit. 

Let’s Pursue 2022 Mouhamed Gueye

The staff isn’t involved with Prolific Prep big Mouhamed Gueye to the best of my knowledge, but I sure wouldn’t mind if they were.

He immediately caught my eye in a matchup against Frankie Collins and Coronado HS. He’s a legit 7 footer with tremendous length, moves extremely well, gets off the ground very easily and can stretch the floor from distance. 

While he’s currently unranked in the 247 composite, he has the look of a very high 4star/low 5star big that has NBA potential. Just a matter of time before he absolutely blows up nationally.