Hamidou Diallo is headed to Spain. The former Cat signed a two-year deal with Baskonia, a professional club in Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain that competes in the Liga Endesa and Euroleague, the most prestigious league in Europe. Last season, Diallo played for the Shanxi Loongs in the Chinese Premier League, averaging 22.5 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 3.1 […]
Hamidou Diallo is headed to Spain. The former Cat signed a two-year deal with Baskonia, a professional club in Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain that competes in the Liga Endesa and Euroleague, the most prestigious league in Europe.
Last season, Diallo played for the Shanxi Loongs in the Chinese Premier League, averaging 22.5 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game. He dropped a career-high 46 points in a game vs. Zhejiang. After playing a season and a half at Kentucky from 2017-18, Diallo was selected No. 45 in the 2018 NBA Draft by the Brooklyn Nets, who traded his rights to the Charlotte Hornets and Oklahoma City Thunder. In 2019, Diallo won the NBA Slam Dunk contest, memorably jumping over Shaquille O’Neal on one dunk and rapper Quavo for another.
Diallo played with the Thunder for a few more seasons before being traded to the Detroit Pistons in March 2021. He dealt with injuries throughout his time with the Pistons and eventually signed with the Wizards, spending the majority of his time with their G League affiliate, the Capital City Go-Go. In 2024, he made the move to China.
Earlier this summer, Diallo released a video chronicling his life in China, which includes an interesting look at how he balances basketball and his diet while fasting during Ramadan. Fun fact: he is friends with current Cat Mo Dioubate, who also grew up in Queens, NY, and observes Ramadan.
Former Cats playing overseas
Diallo is one of many former Cats who are showcasing their talents abroad. Earlier this week, Ansley Almonorsigned a deal with Vilpas Vikings of the Korisliiga league. After two years in Turkey, Derek Willis is taking his talents to France to play with Paris Basketball. Last month, Alex Poythress extended his deal with Zenit Saint Petersburg, and Kyle Wiljter renewed his deal with Umana Reyer Venezia in Italy.
I’m sure we’ll hear of more deals as training camps start up across Europe this month.
Category: Basketball
