Arizona State's Massamba Diop to Visit Gonzaga's Campus

The 7-1 center is one of the most coveted big men in the transfer portal.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 2:50am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting the fractured movements and presence of a basketball player on the court, using sharp planes of navy blue, forest green, and burnt orange.A talented transfer prospect's visit to Gonzaga could reshape the Bulldogs' frontcourt for next season.Spokane Today

Arizona State Sun Devils freshman center Massamba Diop, a 7-1, 230-pound standout from Senegal, plans to visit Gonzaga University this weekend as he considers transferring to the Bulldogs or St. John's Red Storm. Diop averaged 13.6 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks per game last season and is seen as a potential NBA prospect.

Why it matters

Gonzaga has a strong track record of developing big men who go on to the NBA, and the team needs to replace the production of departed center Graham Ike. Landing Diop would give the Bulldogs a formidable frontcourt duo with returning forward Braden Huff.

The details

Diop, who was ranked as the No. 3 best available recruit in the transfer portal by On3, averaged 13.6 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks per game while shooting 56.9% from the field and 30.8% from 3-point range for Arizona State last season. He is considering Gonzaga and St. John's, with official visits planned to both campuses.

  • Diop plans to visit Gonzaga's campus this weekend of April 17.
  • He will also go on an official visit to St. John's in Queens, New York, per reports.

The players

Massamba Diop

A 7-1, 230-pound freshman center from Rufisque, Senegal, who averaged 13.6 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks per game at Arizona State last season.

Mark Few

The head coach of the Gonzaga Bulldogs men's basketball team.

Rick Pitino

The head coach of the St. John's Red Storm men's basketball team.

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What they’re saying

“Gonzaga has been widely known for doing exactly that with big men over the course of the last 15 years or so. Just look at San Antonio Spurs' Kelly Olynyk, Sacramento Kings' Domantas Sabonis, Memphis Grizzlies' Brandon Clarke, Oklahoma City Thunder's Chet Holmgren, and many others.”

— Arden Cravalho, Gonzaga University graduate

What’s next

Diop will decide between Gonzaga and St. John's after his official visits to both campuses.

The takeaway

Gonzaga's reputation for developing NBA-caliber big men makes them an attractive destination for a talented transfer like Massamba Diop, who could form a formidable frontcourt duo with returning forward Braden Huff.