NCAA Basketball: Analyzing the top 8 teams for 2023 forward Assane Diop

Auburn Tigers

The Tigers are another team that is in the mix for Diop’s cousin Fall and unlike SEC rival Arkansas, has plenty of potential room in the frontcourt for the class of 2023 prospects. Their starting frontcourt is five-star power forward Yohan Traore and Morehead State transfer Johni Broome, both of whom very well could go pro next offseason.

With the backups being Jaylin Williams and Dylan Cardwell, Diop definitely can come in and get not only minutes as a freshman, but potentially be a starter as well at Auburn. He’s not Jabari Smith or Walker Kessler but Coach Bruce Pearl has shown that he can develop any kind of talent and turn them into an all-conference performer. It’s a great situation and with few downsides for the recruit.

BYU Cougars

Although they missed the NCAA Tournament last season, the surprise play of freshmen forwards,  Fousseyni Traoré, and Atiki Ally Atiki are bright spots for BYU as they head to the Big 12 for the 2023-24 season. Diop is as raw a prospect as those fellow African forwards were so Coach Mark Pope can be trusted to see that he can reach his potential as well long-term.

There will be an adjustment period for the program going to the Big 12 and the NCAA Tournament may be a far-reaching goal at first. Plus, the fit with Dior and the other two bigs is a little redundant, which could hurt all of them overall when trying to play them on the court together. It’s a fit that may not work overall and unless Diop can play at the five, will have trouble getting ahead of Traore on the depth chart.