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Cincinnati Bearcats forward Mamoudou Diarra opts out of 2020-21 season

University of Cincinnati junior forward Mamoudou Diarra has elected to opt out of the remainder of the 2020-21 college basketball season, citing health and safety concerns amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Cincinnati coach John Brannen announced Diarra's decision Saturday during his pregame radio segment on WLW-AM (700) before the Bearcats tipped off against the No. 12/16 (AP/Coaches) Tennessee Volunteers in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Brannen said Diarra did not travel with the team.

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Brannen said Diarra is taking advantage of the opt-out rule for this season, but will still be able to use the university's academic resources.