2026 NBA Draft: Massamba Diop Scouting Report

Throughout the 2025-26 season, Babcock Hoops will provide comprehensive scouting reports on top 2026 NBA Draft prospects, analyzing their strengths, weaknesses, and potential at the next level. Our reports offer an in-depth look at each player's development and draft outlook.

Massamba Diop

Position: Forward/Center

College: Arizona State

Class: Freshman

Height/Weight: 7'1", 230 lbs

Birthdate: January 1, 2005

Previous Team: Gran Canaria (Spain)

Player Overview

Massamba Diop has been one of the more surprising freshmen early in the season, showcasing a blend of size, coordination, and offensive versatility that is rare for a young big man. At 7’1”, Diop moves fluidly and creates natural mismatches by putting the ball on the floor against slower defenders and using positioning to score inside. His shooting flashes have been particularly encouraging, highlighting the long-term upside of becoming a modern stretch big. Defensively, his length and mobility allow him to make an impact both around the rim and in space, though improved discipline will be necessary as he gains experience. While his rebounding is currently behind where it should be for his size, Diop’s tools, instincts, and two-way potential give him a high developmental ceiling.

Strengths

• Floor Spacing: Has shown early promise as a perimeter shooter, helping open the floor for guards.

• Ball Skills for Size: Comfortable handling the ball in space; can attack bigger defenders off the bounce.

• Defensive Tools: Uses length, timing, and footwork to contest shots and rotate effectively.

• Mobility: Moves well laterally and runs the floor with fluidity uncommon for a 7’1” freshman.

• Interior Positioning: Uses his frame well to seal defenders and establish scoring opportunities inside.

• Offensive decision-Making: Makes smart, simple passes within the flow of the offense; doesn’t force shots.

• Above-the-Rim Finishing: Finishes plays with length and touch, with flashes of vertical pop.

  
  

Concerns

• Rebounding: Underwhelming rebound production relative to his size; needs to gather more consistently and with force.

• Screen Setting/Roll Game: Still developing as a screener and roll threat; timing and physicality vary.

• Defensive Discipline: Can gamble or take unnecessary risks; prone to losing positioning on rotations.

• Physical Maturity: Still growing into his frame; strength and physical consistency need development.

• Experience Level: Young and still learning how to sustain impact across multiple possessions.

  
  

Bottom Line

Diop is a high-upside freshman with legitimate two-way tools and the modern skill set NBA teams covet in developmental bigs. His combination of length, mobility, and emerging perimeter skill gives him the potential to become a versatile, impactful frontcourt player. To reach that ceiling, he’ll need to improve his rebounding, consistency, and defensive discipline. Even so, the early flashes are impressive, and he has quickly positioned himself as one of the more intriguing young prospects to monitor moving forward.