Aliou Diarra

Aliou Fadiala Diarra (born 31 December 2001) is a Malian professional basketball player for FUS Rabat. Diarra was recruited on outside courts by Stade Malien and was an unknown in professional basketball circles until he gained attention in 2023 for his performance in the Basketball Africa League (BAL), in which he was named the BAL Defensive Player of the Year and was named to the All-BAL First Team.

Aliou Diarra
Diarra being interviewed during the 2023 BAL Playoffs
No. 15 – FUS Rabat
PositionCenter
LeagueDivision Excellence
Road to BAL
Personal information
Born (2001-12-31) 31 December 2001
Listed height6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)
Listed weight192 lb (87 kg)
Career information
Playing career2022–present
Career history
2022–2023Stade Malien
2023–presentFUS Rabat
Career highlights and awards

Early life

After initially playing soccer, Diarra picked up basketball in his village in Bamako. There, he made a name for himself in the local community by playing on open courts and was eventually recruited by coach Kaba Kanté of Stade Malien.[1]

Career

2022–23: Breakout rookie season

Diarra, who says he models his game after Anthony Davis,[2] made his first notable appearances in professional basketball with Stade Malien in the 2023 Road to BAL games. With 11.8 points and 11.5 rebounds per game, he helped Stade qualify for their first-ever BAL season on 19 November 2022.[3] Diarra scored 16 points and grabbed 18 rebounds in the decisive third place game against Bangui Sporting Club.[4]

On 18 March, Diarra had 20 points and 16 rebounds in a surprise win over REG.[2] He led the Sahara Conference in rebounds and blocks per game. Over eight games, Diarra had eight double-doubles as he averaged 18.3 points and league-leading numbers of 12.8 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game. Stade Malien finished in a surprising third place, and Diarra was named the BAL Defensive Player of the Year. Diarra was also honoured with a place in the All-BAL First Team.[5]

FUS Rabat (2023–present)

In the 2023 offseason, Diarra transferred to the Moroccan champions FUS Rabat of the Division Excellence.

National team career

Diarra was selected for the Mali men's national basketball team for the first time in 2023, when he was selected for the 2023 FIBA AfroCan roster.[1] He eventually did not play in the 2023 AfroCan.

BAL career statistics
Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field goal percentage  3P%  3-point field goal percentage  FT%  Free throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game  Bold  Career high
 *  Led the league
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2023 Stade Malien 8826.9.553.000.41712.8*1.41.52.3*18.3

References
  1. "Basketball Africa League: Stade Malien's dynamic duo are Mali's finest". NBA.com. 12 May 2023. Retrieved 13 May 2023.
  2. "Diarra makes strong case to be Sahara Conference's most impactful player". The BAL. 20 March 2023. Retrieved 21 March 2023.
  3. "Aliou Fadiala DIARRA at the Africa Champions Clubs ROAD TO B.A.L. 2023 2022". FIBA.basketball. Retrieved 21 March 2023.
  4. "Stade Malien pick last ticket from West Division for BAL 2023". FIBA.basketball. 19 November 2022. Retrieved 21 March 2023.
  5. "MVP Nuni Omot leads Al Ahly to BAL title in Kigali". ESPN.com. 27 May 2023. Retrieved 28 May 2023.
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