Lamine Diane
Lamine Diane | |
|---|---|
| Born | November 7, 1997 Senegal |
| Occupation | Professional basketball player |
| Years active | 2019–present |
| Known for | Big West Player of the Year (2019, 2020) |
Lamine Diane (born November 7, 1997) is a professional basketball athlete from Senegal currently playing for the Cape Town Tigers. He competed collegiately with the Cal State Northridge Matadors and earned the distinction of Big West Player of the Year in both 2019 and 2020.
High school and college career
Diane, whose father Keletigui Diane represented the Senegal national team, started playing basketball at nine years old but initially preferred soccer.[1] In 2015, he relocated to the United States to attend Findlay Prep in Henderson, Nevada, where he notably improved his scoring output during his second year. He committed to Cal State Northridge, redshirting the 2017–18 season to prioritize his studies and recover from a wrist injury.[2]
During his redshirt freshman season, Diane averaged 24.8 points, 11.2 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks per contest, leading the nation in total field goals made.[3] He made history as the first athlete in Big West history to simultaneously receive Player of the Year, Freshman of the Year, and Newcomer of the Year honors.[4]
In his sophomore campaign, Diane was selected preseason All-Big West but was academically ineligible for the initial semester.[5] He posted averages of 25.6 points, 10.2 rebounds, two blocks, and 1.7 steals per game, securing his second straight Big West Player of the Year award.[6] After completing that season, Diane declared for the 2020 NBA draft.[7]
Delaware Blue Coats (2021–2022)
Diane signed with the Philadelphia 76ers on December 3, 2020, but was released four days later. Subsequently, he joined their NBA G League team, the Delaware Blue Coats, making his debut on February 11, 2021, with limited statistical impact. He re-signed with Delaware on October 25, 2021. His season in 2021–2022 concluded early on February 3, 2022, due to a shoulder injury.
Cape Town Tigers (2023–present)
In October 2023, the South African club Cape Town Tigers announced via social media that they had signed Diane. Nevertheless, he did not appear on their roster for the 2024 BAL qualification tournament.