Diarra traded one passion for another

Kansas State freshman Cartier Diarra works with the ball during practice on June 28 at the Ice Family Basketball Center.Cartier Diarra’s could have taken a different path.

Before he ever laced up a pair of basketball sneakers, Diarra was wearing ballet shoes.

Diarra, who grew up in New York City, found his first passion in dance. He did everything from ballet to tap, African jazz to techno and everything in between.

But then one day everything changed for him. A chance trip to watch a middle school basketball game at Madison Square Garden opened his eyes to something new.

“I just loved the intensity of the game and the fans, the way they were clapping and cheering,” Diarra said. “I just wanted…