Diadie Diarra '22 Recruiting Profile

Going to college and playing college basketball is my dream. I came to the U.S. 5 years ago as an International Student basketball player. Mountain Mission School in Virginia is where I am playing basketball and completing my high school diploma. I will be the first in my family to go to college and to go to college in the United States. I am grateful for the opportunity here because I don't have this opportunity in my home country of Mali in West Africa. I have been playing basketball since I was young and I practice nearly every day. The position I play is Shooting Guard. I am disciplined and often practice by myself for hours. I am a good teammate and love playing with other people and meeting new friends/players.

I learned English when I came to Mountain Mission School and I am still learning. I am thinking about studying Computer Engineering or Computer Science. I like computers and I also like making videos. I started a YouTube channel where I make talk show show videos, mostly in my native language of Bambara, but also some in French and English. I invite different people and talk to them about topics that impact people in Mali where I am from, as well as the rest of the world. I want to do something to help my family have a better life and opportunities. I am the youngest of 6 siblings and most of my family is back in Mali. My brother lives in the U.S. with his wife and two babies, and I go and visit them during my school breaks. I hope to teach both of my nephews how to play basketball from a young age. They are 2.5 years and 16 months and I already take them to practice!