IOWA CITY, Iowa – Top 100 recruit Badara Diakite (Bud-are-uh DEE-uh-KEY-tay) has signed a scholarship agreement with the University of Iowa men’s basketball program, it was announced Monday by head coach Fran McCaffery.

“Badara is an extremely talented, versatile player with a great feel for the game,” said McCaffery. “He can stretch the floor with his 3-point shooting, he can guard any position one through five and he is an even better person.  We’re thrilled to have him as part of the Hawkeye family.”

Badara Diakite
6-10, 190, Forward
Hartford, Conn.
South Kent School

• Originally from Bamako, Mali
• 72 recruit in ESPN Top 100
• Rated as a four-star prospect by Rivals – No. 127 ranked player nationally
• Ranked as the No. 122 player nationally by On3… the 11th-best center and No. 3 player in Connecticut
• Invited to play at the 22nd Pangos All-American Camp in Las Vegas… won the camp team championship
• Named to the “Cream of the Crop” Top 30 roster at Pango Camp… led the Top 30 Red Team to a 114-106 win over Top 30 Blue Team
• Averaged 10 points and five rebounds last winter at South Kent School… won the 2023 NEPSAC Championship
• Played for New Heights (NY) Lightning in the Nike EYBL circuit
• Represented Africa in the 2019 Junior NBA Global Championship in Orlando
• Attended Northwest Catholic High School prior to enrolling at South Kent

WHY IOWA?
“I chose the University of Iowa because of the coaches’ communication in the recruiting process and because of Coach McCaffery.  I feel he understands me as a person and sees my basketball talents to be used in ways I can grow my game while helping the team win.”