Aliou Diarra

Last updated

Aliou Diarra
Aliou Diarra.jpg
Diarra being interviewed during the 2023 BAL Playoffs
No. 31–Virtus Bologna
Position Center
League LBA
EuroLeague
Personal information
Born (2001-12-31) 31 December 2001 (age 23)
Kayes, Mali
Listed height6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)
Listed weight210 lb (95 kg)
Career information
NBA draft 2023: undrafted
Playing career2022–present
Career history
2022–2023 Stade Malien
2023–2024 FUS Rabat
2024–2025 APR
2025–present Virtus Bologna
Career highlights
Medals
Men's basketball
Representing Flag of Mali.svg  Mali
AfroBasket
Silver medal icon (S initial).svg 2025 Angola

Aliou Fadiala Diarra (born 31 December 2001) is a Malian professional basketball player for Virtus Bologna of the Lega Basket Serie A (LBA). Diarra was recruited on outside courts by Stade Malien and was an unknown in professional basketball circles until he gained attention in 2023 for his performance in the Basketball Africa League (BAL). In his rookie season, he was named the BAL Defensive Player of the Year and was named to the All-BAL First Team. He won his second Defensive Player award in 2025. At the international level, Diarra debuted for the Mali national team in 2023 and led them to a silver medal at FIBA AfroBasket 2025.

Contents

Early life

After initially playing soccer, Diarra picked up basketball in his hometown Kayes after he was encouraged to play by a stranger because of his notable height. [1] There, he made a name for himself in the local community by playing on open courts and was eventually recruited by coach Kaba Kanté of Stade Malien, who spotted him playing at an outside court. [2] [1]

Career

Stade Malien (2022–2023)

2022–23: Breakout rookie season

Diarra, who says he models his game after Anthony Davis, [3] made his first notable appearances in professional basketball with Stade Malien in the 2023 Road to BAL games. With 11.8 points and 11.5 rebounds per game, he helped Stade qualify for their first-ever BAL season on 19 November 2022. [4] Diarra scored 16 points and grabbed 18 rebounds in the decisive third place game against Bangui Sporting Club. [5]

On 18 March, Diarra had 20 points and 16 rebounds in a surprise win over REG. [3] He led the Sahara Conference in rebounds and blocks per game. Over eight games, Diarra had eight double-doubles as he averaged 18.3 points and league-leading numbers of 12.8 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game. Stade Malien finished in a surprising third place, and Diarra was named the BAL Defensive Player of the Year. [6] Diarra was also honoured with a place in the All-BAL First Team. [7]

FUS Rabat (2023–2024)

In the 2023 offseason, Diarra transferred to the Moroccan champions FUS Rabat of the Division Excellence (DEX-H). He played with the team in the 2024 tournament of the Road to BAL in October-November. On 4 November 2023, Diarra had a double-double of 18 points and 21 rebounds in the 78-60 win over FAP, that clinched the team's spot in the 2024 BAL season. [8]

In the 2024 BAL season, Diarra was named to his second straight All-BAL First Team and All-Defensive Team selections. [9] [10] First-seed FUS Rabat, however, was eliminated in the quarterfinals by the eight-seeded Cape Town Tigers. Diarra helped FUS win the Division Excellence championship. [11]

APR (2024–2025)

On 17 July 2024, Diarra signed a one-year contract with Rwandan champions APR of the Rwanda Basketball League (RBL). [12] He won the double of both the RBL and the Rwandan Cup in his first season with the Lions. [13] [14]

On 26 May 2025, Diarra set a new BAL record for most blocks in a game when he had eight blocks against the Nairobi City Thunder, breaking the former record of seven by Anas Mahmoud and Khaman Maluach. [15] In the playoffs, he helped APR finish in the third place, the best result ever by a Rwandan team. Diarra was also named the BAL Defensive Player of the Year for a second time in his career, after averaging 17.4 points, 11.6 rebounds, 3.4 blocks and one steal in eight games. [16]

Diarra opted play with the Dallas Mavericks in the 2025 NBA Summer League, thus leaving the RBL finals in the middle of the series. [17]

Virtus Bologna (2025–present)

On 30 August 2025, Diarra signed a multi-year contarct with Virtus Bologna of the Lega Basket Serie A (LBA) and the EuroLeague. [18]

National team career

Diarra was selected for the Mali men's national basketball team for the first time in 2023, when he was selected for the 2023 FIBA AfroCan roster. [2] He eventually did not play in the 2023 AfroCan.

He was selected for the FIBA AfroBasket 2025, where Diarra led Mali to a silver medal. [19] On 21 August 2025, Diarra had 35 points and 14 rebounds in the quarterfinal win over Ivory Coast. [20] Mali lost to hosts Angola in the final. [19] Diarra averaged 15.7 points and a tournament-high 10.5 rebounds per game, and was name to the All-Tournament Team. [21]

Honours

APR

FUS Rabat

Mali

Individual awards

BAL career statistics

[26]

Legend
  GPGames played  GS Games started MPG Minutes per game
 FG%  Field goal percentage 3P%  3-point field goal percentage FT%  Free throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game APG  Assists per game SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game PPG Points per game Bold Career high
 * Led the league
YearTeamGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
2023 Stade Malien 8826.9.553.000.41712.8*1.41.52.3*18.3
2024 FUS Rabat 6624.5.667*–.63310.01.01.02.216.5
2025 APR 8829.7.557*.111.55811.82.91.43.2*17.4

Personal

Diarra is fluent in Bambara and has been learning French and English. [27]

References

  1. 1 2 Mabunda, Sindiswa (20 March 2024). "Diarra finally grasps the power basketball has to change his life". The Big Tip Off. Retrieved 25 August 2025.
  2. 1 2 "Basketball Africa League: Stade Malien's dynamic duo are Mali's finest". NBA.com. 12 May 2023. Retrieved 13 May 2023.
  3. 1 2 "Diarra makes strong case to be Sahara Conference's most impactful player". The BAL. 20 March 2023. Retrieved 21 March 2023.
  4. ↑ "Aliou Fadiala DIARRA at the Africa Champions Clubs ROAD TO B.A.L. 2023 2022". FIBA.basketball. Retrieved 21 March 2023.
  5. ↑ "Stade Malien pick last ticket from West Division for BAL 2023". FIBA.basketball. 19 November 2022. Retrieved 21 March 2023.
  6. 1 2 "Diarra, Omot, Gueye, Perry Highlight 2023 BAL Awards". The BAL. 28 May 2023. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
  7. 1 2 "MVP Nuni Omot leads Al Ahly to BAL title in Kigali". ESPN.com. 27 May 2023. Retrieved 28 May 2023.
  8. ↑ "FUS Rabat clinch BAL ticket". FIBA.basketball. 4 November 2023. Retrieved 5 November 2023.
  9. 1 2 "Acuil-Jr. dominates 2024 BAL Awards". The BAL. Retrieved 3 June 2024.
  10. 1 2 "Diarra, Cele named to the All-BAL Defensive Team for the second season in a row". The BAL. Retrieved 3 June 2024.
  11. 1 2 "Basket: l'AS Salé sacrée championne du Maroc". Le360 Sport (in French). Retrieved 19 July 2024.
  12. ↑ Sikubwabo, Damas (17 July 2024). "Basketball: APR sign Malian center Aliou Diarra". The New Times. Retrieved 19 July 2024.
  13. 1 2 Nuwamanya, Amon (23 September 2024). "Basketball: APR BBC Crowned Champions After Defeating Patriots 4-2 in Playoff Series". KT PRESS. Retrieved 22 May 2025.
  14. 1 2 Sikubwabo, Damas (10 August 2024). "APR wins inaugural Rwanda basketball cup tournament". The New Times. Retrieved 22 May 2025.
  15. ↑ "10 BAL records set in the 2025 regular season". The BAL. Retrieved 2 June 2025.
  16. ↑ "Diarra wins second BAL Defensive Player of the Year award". The BAL. 14 June 2025. Retrieved 15 June 2025.
  17. ↑ "NBA Summer League: Mavericks pick Diarra as Boissy joins Milwaukee". The New Times. 2 July 2025. Retrieved 5 July 2025.
  18. ↑ Domizio, Paolo Di (30 August 2025). "WELCOME ALIOU DIARRA!" . Retrieved 30 August 2025.
  19. 1 2 "FIBA AfroBasket 2025 Official Website | FIBA Basketball". www.fiba.basketball. Retrieved 25 August 2025.
  20. ↑ "Mali's magical run continues as they stun Côte d'Ivoire to reach the semis". www.fiba.basketball. 20 August 2025. Retrieved 25 August 2025.
  21. 1 2 "MVP Dundao headlines 2025 AfroBasket All-Tournament Team". www.fiba.basketball. 24 August 2025. Retrieved 25 August 2025.
  22. ↑ "APR & REG Capture Historic Rwanda Super Cup Titles Ahead of the 2025 Regular Seasons | AfricaBasket". www.africabasket.net. Retrieved 22 May 2025.
  23. ↑ "Diarra wins second BAL Defensive Player of the Year award". The BAL. 13 June 2025. Retrieved 15 June 2025.
  24. ↑ "BAL announces 2025 awards". The BAL. 14 June 2025. Retrieved 14 June 2025.
  25. ↑ "Statistics". The BAL. Retrieved 15 June 2025.
  26. ↑ "Aliou Diarra Player Profile, F.U.S de Rabat - RealGM". basketball.realgm.com. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
  27. ↑ Mabunda, Sindiswa (20 March 2024). "Diarra finally grasps the power basketball has to change his life". The Big Tip Off. Retrieved 1 April 2024.
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