NBA draft: Michigan's Moussa Diabate a surprise pick by LA Clippers in second round

Last October, when center Hunter Dickinson was named preseason All-Big Ten and voiced his intention to leave Michigan basketball after his sophomore year, the idea that another member of the Wolverines' frontcourt would be the program’s lone big man turning pro seemed farfetched.

But the unexpected became unimpeachable Thursday when freshman power forward/center Moussa Diabate’s name was called during the 2022 NBA draft. Diabate, who spent one year with the Wolverines, was selected by the Los Angeles Clippers with the 43rd overall pick in the second round.

He is the third Michigan player to be drafted in the second round over the past 10 years, joining Isaiah Livers, Ignas Brazdeikis and…