Player Bio

Diallo was born in 1996 in Kayes, Mali to parents Mamadou and Ramata Diallo. He's the youngest in his family and has four brothers -- Barou, Demba, Simbal and Micailou. Diallo didn't start playing basketball until the age of 13, but he caught on quickly while playing against his brothers and other older competition. He made the tough decision at the age of 15 to come to the United States knowing limited English, and he attended prep school at Our Savior New American High School in Centereach, New York. Diallo had a decorated prep career, as he was twice the New York Gatorade Player of the Year (2014, 2015). He was named the MVP in both the McDonald's All-American Game and Jordan Brand Classic in 2015. You can follow Diallo on Twitter (@cheick_diallo13) and Instagram (_cd13). Diallo led the 2015-16 Kansas squad in blocks per game (0.9). He tied for third on the Jayhawks with 23 blocks in only 27 games. In addition, Diallo was third in field-goal percentage (.569) on Kansas. The Kayes, Mali native helped lead Kansas to the 2016 Big 12 Tournament title, as well as the 2016 NCAA Tournament Elite Eight. Diallo entered the 2016 NBA Draft after his freshman year at Kansas. He was selected in the second round (33rd overall) by the Los Angeles Clippers and then was traded to the New Orleans Pelicans.