IOWA CITY, Iowa — From the moment Michigan basketball welcomed freshman forward Moussa Diabate to Ann Arbor, the descriptions from teammates and coaches seemed to land on attributes that separate the passionate, comedic, hyper-athletic and ultra-skilled big man from anyone else on the roster.
If questions about Diabate are posed to coach Juwan Howard, the answers always touch on his work ethic and desire to improve, his penchant for going to the gym two and three times per day until the coaches tell him to stop. If questions are posed to his teammates, the responses embody their admiration for a player whose skill set will propel Diabate to the NBA much sooner than later.