It seems like quite a bit since the Gonzaga Bulldogs have had an intense rim protector and defensive anchor in the middle like Arizona State Sun Devils transfer Massamba Diop. Since now Oklahoma City Thunder center Chet Holmgren in 2021-22, in fact.
The 7-1 sophomore center was listed as one of the 20 athletes from across the country on the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar preseason watchlist.
In his true freshman campaign, the Rufisque, Senegal native averaged 13.6 points on a shooting split of 56.9 field goal percentage/30.8 three-point percentage/71.5 free throw percentage, to go along with 5.8 rebounds and 2.1 blocks (ranked No. 29 in all of college basketball) across 33 starts.
Diop ultimately chose Gonzaga because of its proven track record of developing big men for the next level. He’s someone who can guard in space and out on the perimeter. The now Golden State Warriors forward/center Graham Ike definitely didn’t have that last trait in his defensive prowess last season. Diop is also contributing offensively through pick-and-roll, lob opportunities, and even with his ability to stretch out the floor.
The Zags now have three players named to a positional preseason award, all in the frontcourt. The two others are sophomore small forward Davis Fogle with the Julius Erving Award and redshirt senior power forward Braden Huff with the Karl Malone Award.
Arden Cravalho is a Gonzaga University graduate from the Bay Area… Follow him on X @a_cravalho