Moussa Diabate, a rising French basketball star, has been making waves in the NBA since the Los Angeles Clippers drafted him in the second round of the 2022 NBA draft.
As a two-way player, he also plays in the G League for the Clippers’ affiliate Ontario Clippers. The French rookie even scored his NBA G League career-high 28 points two times in the 2022-23 season.
Born and raised in Paris, Diabaté began playing basketball at 12 and quickly developed a passion for the sport.
Diabate, who played for multiple high schools in Florida, was considered a five-star recruit and one of the prominent power forwards in the 2021 class.
He went on to play college basketball for the Michigan Wolverines, and now, as a member of the Clippers, the player is exploring more opportunities.
In this article, we’ll look closely at Diabaté’s journey to the NBA, his college career, and his potential as a professional basketball player.
Quick Facts
| Full Name | Moussa Diabate |
| Date of Birth | January 21, 2002 |
| Birth Place | Paris, France |
| Age | 22 Years Old |
| Nationality | French |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Zodiac Sign | Aquarius |
| Chinese zodiac | Horse |
| Height | 6 feet 11 inches/ 2.11 m/ 211 cm |
| Weight | 210 lb/ 95 kg |
| High School | Florida Preparatory Academy, DME Academy, and IMG Academy |
| University | University of Michigan (2021-22) |
| Father’s Name | Not known |
| Mother’s Name | Korotoumou Diabate |
| Siblings | Four |
| Tattoos | None |
| Girlfriend | N/A |
| Children | None |
| Profession | Basketball player |
| League | NBA |
| Position | Center |
| Playing Career | 2022 – present |
| NBA Draft | Round: 1, Pick: 25th overall, 2022 |
| Current Team | Los Angeles Clippers |
| Jersey Number | 25 |
| Net Worth | $300K |
| Social Media | Instagram, Twitter |
| Merch | Signed Rookie Card |
| Last Update | September 2024 |
Eldest Of Five Children, More On Family & Early Life
Moussa was born on January 21, 2002, in Paris, France. His father is from Guinea, whereas his mother is from Mali.
The player has four siblings and is the oldest of them all.
His mother, Korotoumou Diabate, had left Mali for better opportunities and arrived in France a few years before Moussa’s birth.
She settled near a community of Malians in Paris, but Moussa and his family moved around frequently, leading to his uncertainty about where he was headed in life.
At the age of 12, Moussa was introduced to basketball when he joined Sporting Club Maccabi de Paris but eventually switched to USD Charonne, where his passion for the sport developed.
He later played for Saint Charles de Charenton Saint Maurice but could not join the sports institute CREPS due to academic reasons.
To pursue his basketball career, he moved to the United States at 14 and enrolled in the middle school program at Montverde Academy in Montverde, Florida.
Initially, Moussa struggled with the American style of play and the language barrier. However, his perseverance and talent helped him to overcome these challenges.
Education & College Basketball
Moussa Diabaté had a successful high school career at three different schools in Florida: Florida Preparatory Academy, DME Academy, and IMG Academy.
As a senior at IMG Academy, he averaged 14.1 points and 7.5 rebounds per game, leading his team to a 21-3 record.
It would see him in the McDonald’s All-American Game and Jordan Brand Classic rosters in 2021.
The player was a consensus five-star recruit as well as one of the top power forwards in the 2021 class.
For his college education, the player attended the University of Michigan.
There, he played basketball for the Michigan Wolverines for one season only (2021–2022), averaging 9.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks per game.
The player was named to the Big Ten All-Freshman Team. He did not complete his degree at Michigan, as he declared for the 2022 NBA draft after his freshman year.
Highlights & Awards
- 2022 Big Ten All-Freshman Team
- 2021 McDonald’s All-American
- 2021 Jordan Brand Classic
NBA Draft Pick Of LA Clippers
Moussa Diabate’s NBA career began after the Los Angeles Clippers selected him as the second-round (43rd overall) pick in the 2022 NBA draft.
The top three picks of that draft were Paolo Banchero, Chet Holmgren & Jabari Smith Jr.
In his debut game in the 2022 NBA Summer League with the Clippers, Diabate scored ten points & made rebounds in a win over the Memphis Grizzlies.
On July 22, 2022, he signed a two-way contract with the Los Angeles Clippers. The deal also allocates him to the Clippers’ NBA G League affiliate Ontario Clippers.
Although he dressed for a few games at the start of the 2022-23 NBA season, he did not get his NBA debut until the team’s fifth game against the City Thunder on October 27.
Likewise, in his eighth NBA game (December 17, 2022), he was given his first start against the Washington Wizards, as some of the Clippers’ key players, like Paul George & Reggie Jackson, were unable to play.
International Career
Moussa Diabaté has made significant contributions to the French national basketball team at a young age. He helped lead France to fourth place at the 2018 FIBA U16 European Championship.
At the 2019 FIBA U18 European Championship in Volos, Greece, he continued to excel and finished in fifth place.
Moussa put up 14 points and 20 rebounds in a group-stage victory over Greece, showcasing his talent and versatility on the court.
As he continues to develop his skills and gain experience, Diabaté is expected to be a key player for the French national team.
Does Moussa Diabate Have A Girlfriend?
As of now, the French-born NBA player is yet to open up about his dating profile. Diabate doesn’t have any officially disclosed relationship or girlfriend.
With a low-key personal life and no traces of romance so far, online tabloids allege that Moussa is single at the moment.
It is not uncommon for professional athletes to prioritize their careers over personal relationships, including having a girlfriend.
The rigorous training and travel schedule required to be a successful athlete can make it challenging to maintain a stable relationship.
Age & Body Measurements
The player was born in 2002. Hence, he is 22 years old.
He stands 6 feet 10 inches (2.08 m) tall and weighs around 210 lbs (95 kg). The player has a 7 feet 2.5 inches (2.19 m) wingspan and a 9 feet 1.5-inch (2.78 m) standing reach.
Net Worth & Contract
Moussa Diabate, a French basketball star, has an estimated net worth ranging from $400,000 to $500,000 as of 2024.
The majority of his wealth is attributed to his basketball career. And with his entry into the NBA, many expect that Diabate could bag a lucrative deal in the coming days.
Currently, Moussa is on a two-way contract with the LA Clippers & its G League team Ontario Clippers.
Typically, NBA players earn a minimum annual salary of $1 million. However, players with two-way contracts are expected to receive half of that amount.
So, Moussa’s salary is possibly around $500,000 from his two-way deal with the Clippers.
After the end of the 2022-23 season, he is set to become a restricted free agent in 2023 with a qualifying offer of $1.76 million.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is jersey number of Moussa Diabate?
Moussa Diabaté wears jersey number 25 with the Los Angeles Clippers. The player also wore number 25 at his alma mater, the University of Michigan.
Is Moussa Diabate bilingual?
Yes, the NBA player can speak French and English.
How is “Moussa Diabate” pronounced?
The French basketball star's name is pronounced as “moose-ah” “dee-ah-bah-tay”.
