Basketball player from Senegal with a four-star ranking names Syracuse as one of his six potential university choices for the sport
Aliou Dioum, a highly-touted four-star center in the Class of 2026, has officially narrowed his college choices to six prestigious institutions. The 6-foot-11 Senegalese prospect, who currently attends Bella Vista Prep in Scottsdale, Arizona, has been impressing scouts with his versatile play style and strong work ethic, reminiscent of basketball legend Kevin Garnett.
The six schools that have made it to Dioum's final list are West Virginia (WVU), Wake Forest, Mississippi State, Illinois, UNLV, and Syracuse. According to Yahoo's Joe Tipton, Dioum has already visited Wake Forest and has scheduled visits with UNLV, West Virginia, and Mississippi State over the next month.
In the world of college basketball, Dioum's rankings place him as a top-80 player nationally and the No. 11 center in the 2026 class, as per Rivals. Meanwhile, in the Orange camp, Ibrahim Souare seems poised to be the backup center this year, with William Kyle expected to be the primary option at center, having transferred from UCLA.
Cole Swider, another Syracuse basketball player, had a decent run in the NIKE EYBL circuit this summer. Despite playing just 12.2 minutes per appearance, Swider managed to average 8.8 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks per game, and made an impressive 10 out of 13 free-throws.
As Dioum continues his college recruitment journey, his focus remains on finding the perfect fit where he can continue to develop his skills and make a significant impact on the court. The next few weeks will be crucial as he visits each of his finalists, with the hope of making a decision that will shape his college career.
[1] Rivals.com
[2] 247Sports.com
[3] ESPN.com
[4] Syracuse.com
[5] Syracuse.com (August 2025)
Aliou Dioum, a top-80 player nationally and the No. 11 center in the 2026 class according to Rivals.com, has expressed interest in playing basketball at the professional level, specifically in the NBA. Considering his strong work ethic and versatile play style, it's possible that he could follow in the footsteps of basketball legends like Kevin Garnett.
In light of his visits to Wake Forest, UNLV, West Virginia, and Mississippi State, Dioum may consider these schools as potential stepping stones to achieving his NBA dreams, especially since the next few weeks will be crucial in shaping his college career.
