A new name on the recruiting trail for Friar fans is 6’9 Mamadou Diarra (2015 PF). He recently transferred to Putnam Science Academy in CT. PSA is a New England prep program on the rise. They previously sported PC recruit Dayshon Smith who is a freshman at Dayton this season. Prior to arriving at PSA, Diarra played at Believe Prep in SC, a school with some PC ties. Believe Prep has a couple 2015 PC recruits in Jared Wilson-Frame and Trae Jefferson and it is also where God Shammgod’s son played a post-grad year before moving on to Division II Fairmont State.

Diarra took an unofficial visit to Providence on Tuesday and took in the double OT thriller against Villanova at the Dunk.

According to Associate Head Coach at PSA, Josh Scraba, Diarra “is an explosive athlete that plays above the rim. [He’s an] active shot blocker and a very good rebounder [and has] good touch with range stretching to 15 feet. [He] prides himself on the defensive end and is very physical.” Diarra reportedly has a 7’2 wingspan.

On the AAU circuit, Diarra plays for Jay David and the NYC Jayhawks. Coach Jay also had high praise of Diarra describing him as “very athletic and long…he has a high ceiling.” Coach Jay also mentioned that he has “a serious feel for the ball. [He] chases rebounds outside of his area.” He finished by saying “he’s a great kid with a great head on his shoulders.” That sounds like the kind of guy Cooley would love.

Currently, Diarra has no official offers but he does have interest from Providence, Boston University, Quinnipiac, Manhattan and George Mason. Depending on how things go this season and next in terms of his recruiting, Diarra may opt to take a post-grad year but if he is able to harness his potential and polish his game this Spring and Summer, the offers may come pouring in for someone with his athletic ability, size, motor and high ceiling. This appears to be a classic case of Ed Cooley and his staff getting in on the ground floor of a kid who may very well be on high major radars in 6 months. The kid just needs to play more basketball and is getting that chance at PSA. The NYC Jayhawks also plan on playing in events with good exposure for their players including the Pittsburgh Jam Fest in April. Diarra appears on the verge of turning the interest into offers.