Massamba Diop Shocks ASU Fan Base With Latest Announcement

The rising star center has entered the transfer portal with a 'do not contact' tag, leaving Arizona State's program in flux.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 9:38pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a fragmented basketball court scene, with overlapping shapes and planes in vibrant colors representing the disruption caused by Massamba Diop's transfer.The departure of star center Massamba Diop leaves Arizona State's basketball program in a state of flux, requiring a creative rebuilding effort from new coach Randy Bennett.Waco Today

Arizona State's men's basketball program was dealt a major blow as rising star center Massamba Diop announced he is entering the transfer portal with a 'do not contact' tag. Diop had a breakout freshman season and was seen as a key piece for the Sun Devils going forward, but now programs like Duke, Kentucky, UConn, and Kansas are expected to be heavily involved in his recruitment, making a return to Tempe unlikely.

Why it matters

Diop's departure is a significant loss for the Sun Devils, as he had emerged as a foundational player for the program. His decision to enter the portal with a 'do not contact' tag suggests he has a clear idea of his next destination, leaving new head coach Randy Bennett to scramble and find a replacement for the 7'1" center.

The details

Diop's announcement comes on the heels of other key departures for the Sun Devils, including guards Kash Polk, Adante Holiman, and Marcus Adams Jr. The loss of Diop, who quickly became a standout player in his freshman season, is especially damaging as he was seen as proof that the international player route can be a successful way for the program to build its roster.

  • Diop entered the transfer portal on Wednesday afternoon.
  • Guards Noah Meeusen and Kash Polk had previously entered the portal in recent weeks.

The players

Massamba Diop

A 7'1" center who had a breakout freshman season for the Arizona State Sun Devils, emerging as a key piece for the program going forward.

Randy Bennett

The new head coach of the Arizona State men's basketball team, tasked with rebuilding the roster after a series of key departures.

Bobby Hurley

The former head coach of the Arizona State men's basketball team, who recruited and developed Massamba Diop.

Andrew McKeever

A 7'2" center who played for Randy Bennett at Saint Mary's, and could be a potential replacement for Diop at Arizona State.

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What’s next

Arizona State will need to quickly identify and recruit a replacement for Massamba Diop, with Andrew McKeever from Saint Mary's being a potential option that new head coach Randy Bennett is familiar with.

The takeaway

Massamba Diop's decision to enter the transfer portal with a 'do not contact' tag is a major blow to the Arizona State men's basketball program, as they must now scramble to find a replacement for the rising star center. This loss highlights the challenges facing new head coach Randy Bennett as he looks to rebuild the Sun Devils' roster.