Basketball-Real Madrid: Ismaila Diagne, the new master of the paint
Ismaila Diagne lit up the clasico between Real Madrid and Barcelona with just 13 minutes on court.
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He is 16. But Ismaila Diagne already has talent. In the prestigious Liga Endesa, Spain's top basketball league, the Senegalese is making his presence felt in the Real Madrid squad. Ismaila Diagne had already given a glimpse of his potential in the clasico between Real and Barcelona. He even recorded a double-double in his team's win (80-79). In 13 minutes, Ismaila Diagne posted 9 points and, notably, 8 rebounds on his debut at the highest level of Spanish basketball. Simply magnificent! “If it had gone badly (playing him), people would have said I was mad to have thrown him in”, said his coach Chus Mateo.
Observers of Spanish basketball were nonetheless struck by how well such a young player stood out. Born on 20 December 2006, Ismaila Diagne even made the front page of the Iberian newspapers. His performance was so monstrous that Diagne dominated under the basket the very good centre Vesely (33), who is a benchmark at his position in this league. “Young players don't play to be shy. They play to be good. And these ones are good. They have to be given opportunities”, the coach Chus said happily in AS. The first time Madrid fans heard of him was indeed at the MiniCopa Endesa in 2020. He had already lit up that competition with his talent.
The youngest player in history to play in a clasico
The 2.14m youngster, since 2 October, is the youngest player to have featured in a Clasico. Diagne broke the record of Luka Doncic, who faced Barcelona in 2015, being 19 days older than the current Madrid centre. Coming from Nguekokh (Senegal), Diagne arrived at the Maison Blanche in 2019, when he was not yet 13. With his height and imposing physique, he began making a difference very early on. With great mobility for his size, a good left-handed touch to finish at the rim, not to mention his strength driving to the basket, Diagne is a safe bet for Real Madrid. “I am an animal,” Ismaila Diagne said.
Since his big game against Barcelona, he has followed up with 6 minutes (0 points) against Boskania (77-79 win) and 24 minutes against Girona (93-74 win) for 6 points, 6 rebounds and 2 assists.
Jim CEESAY