ORLANDO – Ibrahima Diallo, San Jose State's leading shot blocker during the 2022-23 season, has signed with the UCF men's basketball team, head coach Johnny Dawkins announced on Saturday.
"Ibrahima is a true center, defending and rebounding at a high level," said Coach Dawkins. "He is a capable shot blocker and can finish around the basket. He is a team-first guy and we're happy to have him join our UCF family."
Diallo turned aside 58 shots this past year, just one shy of Taylor Hendricks' mark from the 2022-23 campaign. The Saly, Senegal native started in all 35 games for the Spartans as he helped lead them to a 21-14 overall record with an appearance the CBI quarterfinals.
Standing at seven feet tall, Diallo made 58.7% of his shots from the field, the second highest mark on the team among those that qualified. He averaged exactly six points and six rebounds per game. He posted a season-high 12 points against New Mexico and pulled in 15 rebounds a few days later against Boise State.
Diallo was a member of the Ohio State squad for the first two seasons of his college career. He played in a total of 13 games as a Buckeye, including eight in his freshman year. Prior to his rookie season, Diallo played at Prolific Prep in Napa Valley, Calif. Where he averaged a double-double, tallying 10 points and 11 rebounds per game.
Diallo is the fifth addition via the transfer portal ahead of UCF's first season as a member of the Big 12 Conference. The Knights have announced the additions of forward Omar Payne from Jacksonville, guard Shemarri Allen from UMKC, guard Jaykwon Walton from Wichita State and guard Jaylin Sellers earlier. The five transfers join incoming freshman guard Comeh Emuobor.
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