Virginia Tech picked up a commitment from Kansas State graduate transfer guard Cartier Diarra on Tuesday afternoon. He will be a redshirt senior in 2020-21, and he will be eligible to play immediately.
Diarra (6-4, 185) started 58 out of 97 career games with the Wildcats. As a redshirt junior in 2019-20, he averaged 13.3 points, 4.2 assists, 3.8 rebounds and 1.8 steals per game. He is a career 42.6% shooter from the field, and a 34.5% shooter from the outside.
Diarra’s familiarity with the Virginia Tech comes from assistant coach Chester Frazier. Frazier previously coached Diarra at Kansas State. He is originally from South Carolina. Diarra is considered a combo guard, and he is also a defensive specialist who is capable of guarding the opposition’s best perimeter player.
According to Corey Evans of Rivals.com, Diarra has left open the possibility of declaring for the NBA Draft depending on what feedback he gets. However, it’s expected that he’ll play one more season of college basketball at Virginia Tech.
Diarra’s commitment came not long after Isaiah Wilkins’ transfer was announced this morning. In a Roanoke Times interview with Mark Berman, Wilkins said that head coach Mike Young called him and suggested that he transfer.
“He kind of told me that the situation wasn’t really right for me,” Wilkins told Berman. “He kind of wanted the best for me and said I didn’t really fit what he was trying to do. And I respected that because he came to me and didn’t sugarcoat anything. So I really respect him for that because he told me that he wanted me to play the next few years somewhere else where it was the best fit for me.”
Click here to read the Roanoke Times article, which include many more quotes from Wilkins about the situation.
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Hate that Isaiah couldn’t improve this year. There would have been opportunity for him to grab significant playing time if he could have improved his shooting. Seemed like a nice kid.
We will look back at this kid and say he was the beginning of something great in the MY era
CMY +1
Does this mean Bede is leaving? Plays defense, dishes out assists and can score?
I would hate to see Bede leave because he would be a really good bench player and give us some senior leadership. But if Diarra can match those stats for us that will be an upgrade at PG. Excited about this acquisition.
His shooting % this year were 41%/30% but still much better than WB. Those numbers peaked as a freshman. So, the career shooting numbers are deceiving. He also has 3.2 TO/game which would be worse than Bede.
Something about Wilkins made him my favorite. I will always wish the best for him. A bit disappointed…But gotta trust Coach.
Agree about Wilkins.
I liked Wilkins as a fan. He seemed to have a great attitude and he and Bede seemed to be really good friends. Talked to them in the fall and they both seemed pumped for the season – I think Wilkins was hoping for a big year but obviously that didn’t happen, at least not with any consistency. I wish him the very, very best.
Good Luck, Isaiah. You made some big plays and big shots in your 2 years with the Hokies. Thanks.
As one leaves, another takes his place. Everyone is looking for the next opportunity in all walks of life. Wish the one that leaves good luck & hope the replacement is an up grade. We all have to do what we think is best for us & our family.
Love the get, love the name, love the focus in his eyes in that pic. Gonna miss Chico and wish him all the best!
That’s the look I get in my eyes when I realize I’ve started my scoop layup 9 feet from the basket and I’m never going to make it there…! 🙂
The upgrade starts.
You don’t take this guy for depth. They expect him to start and school our young guys.
What is his height and weight and what position does he play?
6-4, 185, combo guard.
He looks bigger/stronger than 185