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UCF Basketball gets the center they need in UNLV transfer Cheikh Mbacke Diong

By Tristan Freeman

Colorado State Rams guard David Roddy (21) tries to shoot the ball as UNLV Rebels forward Cheikh Mbacke Diong (34) defends in the second half of the game at Moby Arena at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colo. on Thursday, Jan. 7, 2021.010721 Csuvsunlv 09 Bb
Colorado State Rams guard David Roddy (21) tries to shoot the ball as UNLV Rebels forward Cheikh Mbacke Diong (34) defends in the second half of the game at Moby Arena at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colo. on Thursday, Jan. 7, 2021.010721 Csuvsunlv 09 Bb /
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As has every team in college hoops, UCF Basketball has been dealing with incoming and outgoing transfers this offseason. A year ago, the Knights did pretty well in landing talent, including former five-star forward CJ Walker from Oregon, along with point guard Darius Perry.

But so far this offseason, they’ve been more “givers” to the NCAA transfer portal than “takers”. A few days ago, UCF lost double-digit scoring guard Brandon Mahan, along with a pair of centers in Moses Bol and Collin Smith, both of whom didn’t play this past season.

The lack of true size upfront played into why the Knights struggled overall compared to expectations, finishing 11-12 and 8-10 in AAC play. And assuming that the team’s leading scorer Perry isn’t coming back, they’ll be hoping for a more balanced approach among the remaining rotational players.

The good news for UCF is that they landed one of the best remaining centers in the portal in  Cheikh Mbacke Diong. He’s a 6’11 and 240-pound big man originally from Senegal and has played his last four years with the UNLV Rebels, three of which as a full-time starter. Diong is coming off a career 8.9 ppg and 7.4 rpg, along with shooting 61% from the field.

Offensively, Diong isn’t going to give you much. His game is more around offensive putbacks and screens, as he doesn’t have an elite post-game. He did have six games of at least 16 points this past season but had even more of four or fewer points scored.

But that’s okay, as the big man is one of the better individual defenders in college basketball. He’s not a tremendous shot blocker but his physicality and footwork make it normally difficult for big men to get good shots against Diong, and avoids getting exploited on pick and rolls and screens.

Diong can slide right in as UCF’s starting center next season, paired with Walker to make an impressive frontcourt combo. This may allow the former five-star forward to breakout, as he’ll play more at the four-spot than at the five, which he was forced to play at last season in various small lineups.

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With guards Darin Green Jr. and Dre Fuller returning, along with both Walker and Isaiah Adams at the forward spot, Diong at the five gives the Knights a really good starting lineup. There will be some offensive and depth concerns that may limit their ceiling next season but at the very least, the frontcourt issues have been solved with this latest pickup.