Video: Iowa men’s and women’s basketball at “Hawkeyes from Downtown”
“Hawkeyes from Downtown” was held in Iowa City on Oct. 11, 2024. It serves as unofficial kickoff to the 2024-25 seasons.
IOWA CITY — Iowa men’s basketball landed its first verbal commitment of the 2025 recruiting class.
Badara Diakite announced his intention to play college basketball for the Hawkeyes, he announced Tuesday.
Badara Diakite 247 ranking
Diakite fits the mold of a versatile, modern big.
Listed at 6-foot-10 and 190 pounds, Diakite is ranked 129th in the 2025 class, according to the 247Sports Composite. He is also the third-ranked prospect in the state of Connecticut. Diakite played his junior season at South Kent School in Kent, Connecticut.
Pro Insight wrote about Diakite: “The lanky forward showed versatility on both ends of the floor this weekend, using his tools and length to impact shots and generate steals all while showing a diversified shot portfolio. His name continues to be one to watch closely heading into his senior season.”
Diakite is recently coming off a visit to Iowa. He was seen at the “Hawkeyes from Downtown” festivities, which served as the unofficial kickoff to the Iowa men’s and women’s basketball seasons on Oct. 11.
Here is a look at what Diakite can bring to the floor:
Here is Diakite during an on-court workout.
Big picture on Iowa basketball recruiting
Though Diakite is the first member of the 2025 recruiting class, he is the second commitment for the Hawkeyes in the last few months.
In-state guard Navon Shabazz committed to Iowa in September, getting an early start on the 2026 recruiting class. As a sophomore, Shabazz helped Assumption High School in Davenport to a Class 3A state championship last season. He now attends Iowa United Prep in Des Moines.
The 2025 class is closer on the horizon, though. Iowa missed on multiple prospects it was pursuing in the cycle.
Diakite, though, now gets that class off to a start.
Follow Tyler Tachman on X @Tyler_T15, contact via email at ttachman@gannett.com
