Basketball-Liga Endesa: big man Ilimane Diop joins Unicaja
Unicaja strengthen their frontcourt by signing Iliman Diop. The Senegalese centre has agreed a 6-week contract.
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It is not a long-term contract. But Ilimane Diop has a major opportunity to prove he deserves a longer deal. Six weeks can feel both long and short, and anything can happen to an athlete in that time. By signing with Unicaja, the Senegalese centre is covering the lengthy absence of Yankuba Sima, who has injured his left calf.
Ilimane Diop (2.10 m, 28) has already passed his medical and begun preparations with his new team-mates for the 2023-2024 Liga Endesa season, which begins on Saturday 23 September. The Lion arrives from Malaga, according to the source, after spending the previous Liga Endesa and BCL campaign with UCAM Murcia.
📢 Ilimane Diop, reinforcement for six weeks
🔝 The Senegalese centre strengthens the frontcourt for the start of the season🔗 NOTICIA | https://t.co/DaMY3eUXM7
💜💚 #YoSoyDelUnicaja pic.twitter.com/2NF7TqTqCT
— UnicajaCB (@unicajaCB) August 19, 2023
Eight seasons in Baskonia’s first team: Diop joined the club’s academy at 16. He stayed for eight seasons and won the ACB title in 2020. After leaving Vitoria, the centre joined Gran Canaria in the source-printed season “202-2022”; the incomplete first year is retained here without guessing its missing digit. Last season, he played for UCAM Murcia. Ilimane Diop represented Spain at U16, U18 and U20 level. He was nevertheless born on 4 April 1995 in Dakar, Senegal’s capital.
Jim CEESAY