Ilimane Diop

Ilimane Diop
No. 12 Saski Baskonia
Position Center
League Liga ACB
EuroLeague
Personal information
Born (1995-04-04) April 4, 1995
Dakar, Senegal
Nationality Senegalese / Spanish
Listed height 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m)
Listed weight 230 lb (104 kg)
Career information
Playing career 2011–present
Career history
2011–present Saski Baskonia
2011–2012 → UPV/EHU Campus de Álava
2012–2013Araberri BC

Ilimane Diop Gaye (born April 4, 1995) is a Senegalese-Spanish professional basketball player for Saski Baskonia. Although he was born in Dakar, Diop officially represents Spain when being on international duty since he was a baby when his family settled in Spain.[1] Previously, he has led their junior teams to multiple bronze medals.[2]

Professional career

A product of Spanish powerhouse Saski Baskonia, was sent out on loan to minor league team to gain playing time and experience. Diop made his debut for Baskonia in the Spanish top-flight ACB in the course of the 2013-14 campaign.

An early entry candidate for the 2016 NBA draft, he later withdrew his name.[3]

International career

After achieving a bronze medal with the under-16 team and the under-18 team, on 11 July 2016, Diop made his debut with the national team in a friendly game played in Burgos against Angola. He scored four points and grabbed three rebounds to collaborate in the win by 85–61.[4]

Player profile

Standing 6'11" with a wingspan of 7'11" feet, Diop is regarded as one of the most potent players in the Liga ACB and possibly a future NBA draft selection. Length has been an inevitable problem for his opponents, who have struggled against the pick-and-roll and rebounds.[5] He is also noted for his raw talent that could grow into a "great basketball body." Balance, footwork, and strength have remained intangibles for the center.[6]

Personal life

His brother Mamadou is also a basketball player.

References

  1. "Ilimane Diop Player Profile". Eurobasket.com. Retrieved 29 June 2014.
  2. "Ilimane Diop Player Profile". RealGM.com. Retrieved 29 June 2014.
  3. Release, Official. "Thirty-three international early-entry candidates withdraw from Draft". NBA.com. Retrieved 2016-11-17.
  4. "Ilimane Diop debuta con la selección española senior" (in Spanish). ACB.com. 12 July 2016. Retrieved 13 July 2016.
  5. Hein, David. "Spain youngster Diop taking step in Euroleague". FIBA.com. Retrieved 29 June 2014.
  6. Mills, Danny. "Eurohopes Basketball Prospect Ilimane Diop". EuroHopes.com. Retrieved 29 June 2014.
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