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Mark Few and the Gonzaga Bulldogs already brought in a significant transfer target in Isiah Harwell, but they are far from done shopping in the portal.
The Zags are set to host a potentially program-altering transfer on Saturday in Massamba Diop, a 7’1 big man widely considered one of – if not the best – centers available in the portal.
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The Senegalese big man dominated last year as a freshman at Arizona State, averaging 13.6 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.1 blocks, and 1.1 assists in 29.6 minutes per game. He shot an extremely efficient 59.4% on two pointers, 71.5% from the free throw line, and 30.8% (8-26) from beyond the arc.
That included an 11-point, four-rebound, two-block performance on 5-7 shooting against Gonzaga in his third collegiate game back on Nov. 14, a game the Zags won 77-65.
Arizona State Sun Devils center Massamba Diop (35) battles for position with Gonzaga Bulldogs forward Graham Ike (15) on Nov. 14, 2025, at Desert Financial Arena in Tempe. | Rob Schumacher/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Why Diop fits Gonzaga’s frontcourt plans
It’s easy to see why Gonzaga is interested in Diop. With a massive frame at 7’1 and 230 pounds, and soft touch around the rim, Diop is an obvious fit in the type of high-usage center role coach Few relies on year in and year out.
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Diop slots in perfectly next to Braden Huff, who excels as a scorer around the rim and in the short roll, allowing Diop to clean up on the boards and wreak havoc defensively – two areas in which he excels.
Feb 4, 2026; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils center Massamba Diop (35) blocks the shot of Utah Utes guard Don McHenry (3). | Rob Gray-Imagn Images
Diop blocked 69 shots as a freshman in the notoriously tough Big 12, which would have tied Zach Collins for the fourth most in Gonzaga history, behind Austin Daye (70 in 2008-09), Brandon Clarke (117 in 2018-19) and Chet Holmgren (117 in 2021-22).
But he’s more than just a rim protector, showcasing plenty of…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/gonzaga-hosting-71-transfer-portal-015308239.html
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Publish date : 2026-04-17 01:53:00
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