1. Mamadi Diakite was born on January 21,1997 and is a Guinean professional basketball player for the Valley Suns of the NBA G League.
23 Facts About Mamadi Diakite
1. 2.
Mamadi Diakite played college basketball for the Virginia Cavaliers, with whom he won an NCAA national championship in 2019.
3.
Mamadi Diakite won an NBA championship with the Milwaukee Bucks in 2021.
4.
Mamadi Diakite's father was the health inspector general of Guinea and his mother was an obstetrician.
5.
Mamadi Diakite grew up playing soccer in streets and parks but later started playing basketball because of his height and athleticism.
6.
When he first came to the United States, he could only speak French, and Guinean former basketball player Mamadi Diakite Diane was among those who helped him acclimate.
7.
Mamadi Diakite played two basketball seasons at Blue Ridge School and earned varsity letters in track and field and soccer, because the school required students to play a sport each season.
8.
Mamadi Diakite made a buzzer-beating shot to send the game to overtime.
9.
Mamadi Diakite dyed his hair blonde in late February 2019 then kept that essential look for the remainder of his college career.
10.
Mamadi Diakite declared for the 2019 NBA draft after winning the national championship but withdrew his name from the draft before the withdrawal deadline date to return to Virginia for his last season of eligibility.
11.
Mamadi Diakite appeared in 12 games with Lakeland while averaging 18.5 points, 10.3 rebounds, 2.1 blocks and 2.1 assists in 27.7 minutes and was named to the All-NBA G League First Team, the NBA G League All-Defensive Team and the NBA G League All-Rookie Team en route to the G League title with Lakeland.
12.
Mamadi Diakite won the NBA championship in his rookie season with the Bucks.
13.
On September 26,2021, Mamadi Diakite was claimed off waivers by the Oklahoma City Thunder.
14.
On January 11,2022, Mamadi Diakite signed a 10-day agreement with the Thunder.
15.
On September 26,2022, Mamadi Diakite signed with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
16.
On October 19,2023, Mamadi Diakite signed with the New York Knicks, but was waived two days later.
17.
On November 9,2023, Mamadi Diakite was named to the opening-night roster for the Westchester Knicks.
18.
On January 1,2024, Mamadi Diakite signed a two-way contract with the San Antonio Spurs and on March 2, he was waived by the Spurs.
19.
On March 6,2024, Mamadi Diakite returned to the Westchester Knicks and on March 14, he signed a 10-day contract with the New York Knicks.
20.
On September 26,2024, Mamadi Diakite signed with the Phoenix Suns, but was waived on October 14.
21.
Mamadi Diakite is a fluent speaker of French, Maninka, Susu and Fula.
22.
Mamadi Diakite began learning English when he arrived in the United States to attend Blue Ridge School.
23.
At the University of Virginia, Mamadi Diakite was a French major and Global Culture and Commerce minor.