As reported by Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, the Charlotte Hornets are bringing in Moussa Diabate on a two-way contract. Charlotte previously had one two-way slot open as the other two are currently occupied by Leaky Black who appeared in 26 games for the Hornets in 2023-24 and 2024 second-round pick KJ Simpson.
Free agent F/C Moussa Diabate has agreed on a two-way deal with the Charlotte Hornets, sources tell ESPN. Diabate — the 43rd pick in the 2022 NBA Draft out of Michigan — played 33 games for the Clippers in the past two seasons. pic.twitter.com/Gt8le1YruX
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 29, 2024
Hornets Sign G League Standout To Two-Way Contract
Diabate Spent First Two Seasons With The Clippers
The six-foot-11 Diabate was selected in the second round (43rd overall) by the Los Angeles Clippers in the 2022 NBA Draft. He spent each of his first two seasons in the NBA on two-way deals with Los Angeles.
Most of his playing time has come in the G League through two years. As a rookie in 2022-23, Diabate got into 22 games with the Clippers playing a total of 195 minutes. He posted per-game averages of 2.7 points and 2.3 rebounds. Diabate scored a career-high of 13 points on January 29, 2023 in a matchup against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
In his following season, Diabate received even less playing time with the Clippers. He only got into 11 games totaling 64 minutes. His averages of 2.6 points and 2.2 rebounds are very similar to those in his rookie year.
Diabate was a nightly double-double threat when playing in the G League for the Ontario Clippers. Over the two seasons, the 22-year-old center would play in 32 regular season games for Ontario. He averaged 15.8 points, 11.5 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.5 steals, and 1.6 blocks. In 2022-23, he was selected to the All-NBA G League Third Team. Diabate did show signs of improvement in his second G League season. His turnovers decreased by half (3.2 per game in 2022-23, 1.6 in 2023-24), and he nearly doubled his average in blocks (1.1 in 2022-23, 2.1 in 2023-24).
One-And-Done In College
Born in France, Diabate moved to the United States once entering high school. Playing for IMG Academy in Florida, he was named to the McDonald’s All-American Game as a senior. He then moved on to play collegiately at Michigan under Juwan Howard.
As a freshman, Diabate averaged 9.0 points and 6.0 rebounds. It was enough to see him named to the Big Ten All-Freshman Team. One year at Michigan was enough for Diabate to believe he should enter his name in the 2022 NBA Draft where he was later drafted by the Clippers.
Diabate will now look to find his way to earning playing time with the Hornets or remain in the G League. The team rosters starting center Mark Williams (who was hurt much of last season) and backup Nick Richards. Charlotte also signed longtime veteran center Taj Gibson in free agency.
