The Charlotte Hornets are putting their faith—and their money—into the tantalizing potential of Moussa Diabate. The rising star forward, still just 21 years old, has inked a multi-year contract extension with the Hornets after a scintillating sophomore campaign that saw him blossom into one of the league’s most promising young talents.
Diabate, a 6-foot-10 athletic marvel out of the University of Michigan, was originally a second-round pick of the Los Angeles Clippers in the 2022 NBA Draft. But after a quiet rookie season bouncing between the Clippers and their G League affiliate, he found himself signing a two-way contract with the Hornets last summer, hoping for steadier opportunities to showcase his tantalizing skill set.
And showcase it he did. Thrust into Charlotte’s starting lineup early in the season due to a litany of frontcourt injuries, Diabate made the most of his chance, quickly establishing himself as a walking double-double threat and an absolute menace on the offensive glass. His per-36-minutes numbers were eye-popping: nearly 15 points and 12 rebounds on 59% shooting from the field.
A Force on the Glass
It was Diabate’s relentless energy and instincts as a rebounder that truly set him apart. He led the entire NBA in offensive rebounding percentage, corralling an absurd 16.8% of Charlotte’s misses when he was on the floor. His ability to create second-chance opportunities was a godsend for a Hornets offense that struggled mightily to generate efficient looks in the halfcourt.
Moussa has an incredible nose for the ball. He just seems to know where every miss is going to end up, and he has the athleticism and motor to go get it. It’s such a valuable skill to have in a big man.
— Hornets head coach Kenny Atkinson
Diabate’s emergence as an elite rebounder helped the Hornets to the league’s third-best offensive rebounding rate as a team, a crucial edge for a young squad still finding its way. His ability to extend possessions and create extra shots often meant the difference between wins and losses in close games.
Promising Growth on Both Ends
But Diabate showed flashes of potential that extended far beyond his boarding prowess. His explosive leaping ability made him a constant lob threat on offense and a serious deterrent at the rim on defense. He even flashed some intriguing skills as a passer and ball-handler, particularly impressive for a player of his size and experience level.
Over the season’s final month, Diabate averaged a robust 12.4 points, 10.2 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.4 blocks per game while shooting a scorching 67% from the field and even hitting 7 of his 16 attempts from three-point range. That tantalizing stretch offered a glimpse of the versatile two-way force Diabate could become with more seasoning and development.
The Hornets are clearly betting that Diabate’s rapid growth is a sign of things to come. By locking him up to a multi-year extension now, they’ve secured a potential cornerstone piece on a bargain deal, one that could look like an absolute steal if Diabate continues on his upward trajectory.
The Future Is Bright in Charlotte
With a young core built around the explosive scoring of LaMelo Ball, the defensive menace of Mark Williams, and now the relentless energy of Moussa Diabate, the Hornets have the makings of an exciting foundation to build upon for years to come. If Diabate can blossom into the type of game-changing force his potential suggests, Charlotte may find itself back in the thick of the Eastern Conference playoff race far sooner than anyone anticipated.
For Diabate, this extension is a testament to his incredible work ethic and drive to improve. From a seldom-used second-round pick to a locked-in franchise building block in the space of a year, his meteoric rise is proof of just how quickly fortunes can change in the NBA for those with the talent and determination to seize their moment.
Only time will tell if Diabate can live up to the lofty expectations that come with this new deal. But if his breakout sophomore season was any indication, the Charlotte Hornets may have just found their next homegrown star—and Moussa Diabate may be on the verge of taking the league by storm.
