Diarra's basketball journey steers him to K-State
Sharone Wright had already left West Florence (SC) High School, but the buzz of what just took place and what could be in the next few years was officially getting started. The easily detected pride in his voice was mere proof that the moment and event he witnessed minutes earlier was remarkable and noteworthy.
“It just makes me warm inside because I understand where he’s come from,” he said.
To Wright, the former Clemson star and sixth overall pick in the 1994 NBA Draft, the journey is always better when you understand it. And when it comes to knowing the one of Cartier Diarra, Wright — a family friend, mentor, and father figure — is on the short list.
On Wednesday afternoon, Diarra, a 6-foot-3 combo guard, signed a letter of intent to play at Kansas State next season on the first day of the Spring National Signing Period.
Standing nearby was Wright, ecstatic, watching the player he adamantly believes is “the best player in this state for a senior, by far. Better than Seventh Woods (a four-star guard commit to North Carolina who is ranked No. 35 in the Rivals150),” officially become a Wildcat.
“I think he can really get to the bucket. He’s a slasher,” Wright said of Diarra. “His jump shot is very underrated. We’re working on that a whole lot more now. He can shoot it. The 3-ball can get a lot better, but he can score the basketball.
“He’s great defensively. Long, gangly, range, but he can really get to the basket and attacks. He’s an attacker.”
Long before Diarra helped West Florence to consecutive 19-win seasons, before he was named to the Class 4A All-State Team in South Carolina or dubbed the Region 6-4A Player of the Year as a senior, before he scored in double figures 50 times during his prep career, including 16 20-point games, 27 double-doubles and eight triple-doubles, he had to learn the game, essentially from scratch, just three years ago.
Originally from Manhattan, N.Y., Diarra grew up with a passion for dance. He thought that was his calling — once clinging aspirations going to a major school to become a professional dancer. He liked sports, of course, particularly basketball, but he couldn’t play competitively because it interfered with his everything he had going on.
It wasn’t until Diarra left the Big Apple for Florence, S.C., following his freshman year of high school that basketball became any major part of his life. But from ballet slippers to basketball shoes, it is now the most important.
“I’m so ready,” said Diarra, a three-star prospect who will move to Manhattan this summer. “I think about K-State every day because it’s a big change. It’s the biggest step in my life right now. This is changing my whole life, this step to Kansas. I’m not nervous about it at all. I’m a very independent person. This move over there, the college life, is going to be regular to me.”
Much like anything new, though, and without much understanding of how to play the game, and from going from city to suburban life, it was a process to get Diarra to this point.
His natural ability, in addition to dance, helped with the quick learning curve.
“It transitioned for him very well,” Wright said. “His gracefulness, he’s athletic, and he’s got a lot intangibles that you just can’t teach. It was a journey. It was huge journey.”
So did his work ethic.
“I think that’s probably one of the biggest things about him, too. He’ll outwork everybody,” Wright added. “He’s going to work. I love that. He and my son (Sharone Wright, Jr.), that’s all they know in their lives.”
Lately, Diarra — the fourth official member of K-State’s 2016 recruiting class, joining wings Xavier Sneed and Brian Patrick, and big man James Love — has taken it to the next level. While he has patiently waited to sign with K-State since his commitment in mid-January, the athletic guard has done everything possible to prepare for Big 12 Conference basketball.
Diarra has gained six pounds in the last month, going from 179 to 185 pounds. He has increased his bench press max from 185 pounds to 230 pounds, which he said the strength has helped with a higher release of his smooth, left-handed jump shot.
He’s worked on his skill set and basketball IQ, watching and studying film, even learning the amount of dribbles certain opponents took before they pulled up.
“I’ve been going crazy in the gym, both the weight room and the basketball gym. I’ve been doing what is needed of be to be physically ready,” Diarra said. “I want to play. I don’t want to come in and not be ready to play because of this or because of that. I want to be ready. Anything that they tell me that I need to work on, I’m going to do it right now. I want to be ready when I get there.”
Diarra has also strengthened his ties with K-State. He texts sophomore shooting guard Barry Brown about the weight room. He has reached out to sophomore point guard Kamau Stokes about his recovery from a season-ending knee injury. He is in contact with assistant coach Chester Frazier nearly every day.
“I’ve just been building a great relationship,” he explained. “Coach Frazier is a very cool dude. He’s the one that recruited me. I feel comfortable with him. That’s another reason why I chose K-State. I get the vibe that he wants me to see my maximum potential.
“A lot of people tell me that I have a lot more that I can do that I don’t see yet. So I’m ready for somebody to help me get that out. We talk about motivational stuff every day to keep me focused and consistent because consistency is key. That’s how you become successful.”
During the recruiting process, K-State head coach Bruce Weber, who was looking for depth in the backcourt, thought Diarra was exactly what the roster needed.
“Cartier is a versatile combo guard who has exceptional athleticism and strong basketball IQ,” Weber said. “He is great in the transition game and has a unique ability to get to the basket to score or to drop it to a teammate.”
Diarra said he is ready. He is looking forward to building team chemistry and wants help the Wildcats win games and get to the NCAA Tournament next season.
And while his abilities might still be raw and maturing with just three years of competitive basketball under his belt, Wright can see Diarra making an impact early in his career with the Wildcats.
“I think he has to get consistent with his in-between game. In other words, being able to determine between a jump shot, mid-range, and 3-ball,” Wright said. “He’s got to get consistent in that, but he’ll play early and he’ll score early, that’s for sure.”
You better believe Wright will continue to know and understand Diarra’s journey every step of the way, too, just as he always has.