Milwaukee Bucks: Getting to know new two-way player Mamadi Diakite

How does Mamadi Diakite fit with the Milwaukee Bucks?

To start it off, Diakite fills a need in the Bucks’ bare frontcourt and center rotation behind Bucks starting big man Brook Lopez.

At 6’9″ and a very slender 222 lbs., Diakite has the capabilities to play at the 5 just as he did at Virginia. While he doesn’t have the physicality to go with his size, the fact that Diakite possesses a 7’3″ wingspan, the third-longest wingspan of all draft combine prospects, all makes for an interesting physical profile, especially when trying to optimize his ideal role.

All of those physical traits, along with his explosive athleticism, lend themselves well to Diakite’s defensive prowess, which was recognized in his senior season by his ACC All-Defensive team honors.

Diakite is capable of cleaning up any threat of an easy layup at the basket and the combination of his length and recovery speed makes him a special player on that side of the ball. The former Cavalier has done an excellent job of cutting down on his foul rate over his time at Virginia, being able to maintain his discipline with his shot blocking instincts remains key at the next level.

And being as comfortable defending on the perimeter as he is in front of the basket, Diakite comes loaded with defensive versatility. For as multi-faceted as his role is defensively and could be in the NBA, Diakite’s role on the offensive end is much more defined.

Diakite has grown much more comfortable in stepping out and being able to shoot it from distance as he went 20-for-55 from downtown last season, good for 36.4 percent. And as he’s been more comfortable in his jump shot, Diakite’s free throw percentage has risen from 54.5 percent as a freshman to 75.4 percent as a senior.

It’s more than likely that Diakite’s most optimized role is being able to hit shots off the catch as well as picking and popping out to the 3-point line. Being able to do all that on a higher volume and at an adequate efficiency is the key for him to garner some minutes with the Bucks moving forward.

The Bucks have had enjoyed developmental success with versatile big men at the bottom of their roster with players such as Dragan Bender and Christian Wood in recent seasons. Perhaps Mamadi Diakite can be the next in line if all breaks right.