May 11, 2010
By Doug Richards
UCFAthletics.com
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - Every member of the UCF men's basketball team has individual goals that they would like to achieve this summer. Some want to lose weight, while others want to get better on the free-throw line.
Sophomore forward David Diakite (Washington, D.C.) has two areas of focus this summer, and he knows that accomplishing the goals will go a long way towards him earning ample playing time in 2010-11. During his two years at UCF, Diakite has been recognized as an incredible athlete oozing with potential. He knows what he needs to work on to actually reach that potential while playing in new head coach Donnie Jones' up-tempo system.
"I am trying to work on my ball-handling and shooting," he said. "I am especially trying to work on my one-on-one skills because we are going to be playing faster. I really need to get that accomplished."
Diakite appeared in all 32 games as a redshirt freshman this past season, making 21 starts. He averaged 4.7 points and 3.8 rebounds. Diakite showed flashes of his great potential early in the season, highlighted by a 21-point effort against Albany in November. But as the season progressed, his minutes went down. He knows that improving his ball-handling and shooting will prevent a repeat of that trend. Diakite has always got up and down the floor in a hurry, and believes that he can strive in Jones' offensive system.
"I think it will (suit me) more. I am used to this. I have played this way my whole life. Now that coach Jones has brought it to UCF, I think it will help me a lot," Diakite said.
The thought of Diakite running the floor on a fastbreak and getting the ball off of feeds from speedy junior point guard A.J. Rompza (Chicago, Ill.) should have UCF fans getting excited about the upcoming campaign. The potential of Diakite adding more aspects to his game should have the same effect.
The UCF ticket sales office is currently accepting season-ticket deposits for the 2010-11 campaign at (407) UCF-1000 or online at UCFAthletics.com. By placing their deposit now, fans will receive a free 2010-11 NIKE Knightmare t-shirt with their ticket purchase. Season tickets start at just $99.
For the latest news on the Knights, log on to UCFAthletics.com - the official site for UCF varsity sports. The site, which also contains ticket and Golden Knights Club donor information, is also the home of UCF's new online apparel store. Also visit UCFPhotos.com, the exclusive fan source for UCF action sports pictures.