“He brings a ton of energy!” »: who is Moussa Diabaté, the Frenchman behind a huge brawl in the NBA

A true revelation to the Charlotte Hornets for two seasons, praised by his coach Charles Lee and appreciated by fans, the discreet French pivot Moussa Diabaté distinguished himself in a… astonishing way on the night of Tuesday to Wednesday in the NBA.

At the Spectrum Center, during the reception of the Detroit Pistons, a seemingly innocuous action in the third quarter – a flagrant foul by Diabaté on Jalen Duren like we see every evening on American courts – caused the match to degenerate. Words are exchanged, the two players find themselves face to face, before a slap from Duren hits the Frenchman’s face. Mad with rage, Moussa Diabaté must be restrained by several teammates and staff members.

This altercation, which could cost him between three and five suspension games according to case law, put an end to an impressive dynamic in North Carolina. Charlotte remained on nine consecutive victories before this lost meeting against Detroit. “Things have gotten out of hand”, simply summed up Charles Lee after the match.

A potential starter in the NBA

Permanently established in the major five since the match against Washington on December 24, Moussa Diabaté participated in the good run of the Hornets, who have won 16 of their last 25 matches and are back in the race for the play-in. On average, the French pivot plays around 25 minutes per match for 8.2 points scored per game, with an impact especially visible in physical combat and defense.

On January 31, against the San Antonio Spurs, Diabaté distinguished himself by complicating the evening of Victor Wembanyama, limited to 16 points. A few weeks ago, his coach confided: “I have never seen a guy play so hard, for so long, and with such consistency throughout an entire match. He brings a ton of energy! »

Criticized last summer after being dismissed and then recalled by the French team following an injury, Moussa Diabaté chose to forgo this new call-up to EuroBasket in order to “focus on the next NBA season”. A choice which today seems to prove him right, as his progress is visible on the NBA floors.

Left at 14 to the United States

Before establishing himself in the NBA, the 2.11 pivot had to take a longer path than most French prospects. He started playing basketball at the age of 12 in the Parisian clubs Sporting Club Maccabi Paris and USD Charonne, before joining Charenton in Val-de-Marne. Rejected at the Pôle Île-de-France, he left for the United States at just 14 years old, with few certainties and few contacts from interested American teams. He was welcomed to the Montverde Academy in Florida, a school renowned for having trained several NBA stars, including Joel Embiid.

He must then adapt to a new country, learn English and discover a completely different environment. Several stints at the Florida Prep Academy followed, at the DME Academy in Daytona Beach and then at the IMG Academy in Bradenton.

Known for his work ethic and defensive versatility, capable of containing powerful interiors but also faster exterior players, he then joined the University of Michigan in the NCAA. His defensive qualities quickly won over observers. He was named to the All-Big Ten Freshman Team, an honor reserved for the best young college players.

The king of offensive rebound

In 2022, he entered the NBA draft and was selected 43rd by the Los Angeles Clippers. Its first two seasons are discreet. Little used, he uses this time to develop specific qualities. In the NBA, to earn playing time, you have to excel in one area. Diabaté specializes in defense and offensive rebounds.

It is today its trademark. A true magnet for the orange ball in the opposing racket, Moussa Diabaté is among the best offensive rebounders in the league. With 3.7 catches on average per game, he is the fifth player in this area tied with… Jalen Duren, his opponent from last night. Proof that he is ready to jostle to dominate his opponent.