Boubacar Diakite (2018 F) commits to St. John’s

St. John’s has secured an early commitment for the class of 2018. A full year and a half before Boubacar Diakite can sign paperwork to join St. John’s, the 6’8” forward from Our Savior New American has committed to Chris Mullin’s rebuild.

A small forward from Mali standing 6’8”, Diakate continues what has become a mini-pipeline from the Long Island high school to St. John’s. Chris Obekpa, Felix Balamou and Kassoum Yakwe all attended Our Savior New American.

Like Yakwe, Diakite is from Mali.

Diakite plays for the PSA Cardinals in AAU ball and was at the St. John’s Elite Camp last week.

St. John’s offered the forward in February. He is a strong athlete, but slim, and seems to have a developing jump shot and enough quickness to get into the lane.

Here is some early praise for Diakite from Frank Burlison last year:

No other frontcourt player showed off the multiple skills that Diakite put on display in the game I watched him play for “Pittsburgh”, as he crushed opponents in and around the lane and also knocked in three 3s, from each corner and out top.

He could join an alumnus of Our Savior – Kansas freshman Cheick Diallo – as a McDonald’s All-American two and a half years hence.

Ballboy Hyper describes him as “a sophomore forward with great length and a high motor.”

It’s an early get for the Johnnies, despite the reports last week that Barry “Slice” Rohrssen would leave the staff this summer. Apparently, the Johnnies are still capable of making a splash without Rohrssen.

St. John’s will see at least Bashir Ahmed, Darien Williams and Amar Alibegovic run out of availability in time for the 2018 class, barring any season-ending injuries.

The Red Storm have two more available scholarships in 2018. Mamadou Doucore is a 2018 center and teammate of Diakate that St. John’s have pursued.

Boubacar Diakite Highlight reel