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Article: Basketball neophyte Diop has scouts salivating.(Sports)

Article from:
Daily Herald (Arlington Heights, IL)
Article date:
June 26, 2001
Author:
Copyright

Byline: Mike McGraw Daily Herald Sports Writer

Growing up in Senegal, DeSagana Diop didn't want anything to do with basketball. He would only play soccer.

"I never liked (basketball)," Diop said. "I thought it was for the girls.

"I played (soccer) growing up, until I was 15. My family always told me, 'Go play basketball, you're going to make a lot of money.' I never believed them."

Believe it. Though he has only played basketball for four years and spent less than two years in the United States, Diop (pronounced Jop) is almost certain be one of the top 10 picks in Wednesday's NBA draft.

What Diop brings is Shaq-like size, though he is a little shorter ...

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Article: Diop intrigues Cavs.(Knight Ridder Newspapers)
Knight Ridder/Tribune News Service;  June 24, 2001 ;     700+ words ... ... foot later that month. But Steve Smith, Diop's coach at Oak Hill, said Diop's fracture in his fifth metatarsal is fully ... Hill in the fall of 1999 as a 250-pounder. Diop was steered to Oak Hill by Amadou Fall, a Dallas Mavericks scout ...

Article: Cavaliers go sky high: take 7-footer Diop, acquire ...
Knight Ridder/Tribune News Service;  June 27, 2001 ;     700+ words ... ... to play at 295 pounds. Diop is a native of Senegal, a West African nation. Diop, who came to Oak Hill for his junior year of ... people think," said Oak Hill coach Steve Smith ... people think." While Diop has plenty to learn ...

Article: Diop: A family affair.(Knight Ridder Newspapers)
Knight Ridder/Tribune News Service;  December 10, 2001 ;     700+ words ... ... good news for the Cavs that Diop's life away from basketball ... young kid out of high school," Diop said. "But I'm not stupid ... early." When the Cavs drafted Diop, a native of Senegal who came ... 1999 to play two seasons at Oak Hill (Va.) Academy, they knew ...

Article: Diop, former Cavalier project, becoming polished player ...
Akron Beacon Journal (Akron, OH);  June 16, 2006 ;     700+ words ... ... him in April. The oft-injured Diop showed only flashes in his four ... St. Mary High School take apart Diop as a member of Oak Hill Academy. By last summer, the ... possible to lure free agents. Diop till you drop is essentially what ...

Article: It figures: Diop close to NBA title.
Akron Beacon Journal (Akron, OH);  June 17, 2006 ;     700+ words ... ... him in April. The oft-injured Diop showed only flashes in his four ... St. Mary High School take apart Diop as a member of Oak Hill Academy. By last summer, the ... possible to lure free agents. Diop till you drop is essentially what ...

Article: Diop? Curry? Bulls quiet on draft plans
Post-Tribune (IN);  June 25, 2001 ;     700+ words ... ... Physically, I'm 110 percent," Diop said. "They put a screw in it so I don't break it again." Diop has played basketball for four ... played the last two seasons at Oak Hill Academy in Mouth of Wilson ... mythical national championship. Diop said the thought of playing ...

Article: Cavs' Diop credits chef for aiding recovery.
Akron Beacon Journal (Akron, OH);  January 4, 2004 ;     700+ words ... ... on . .. I like him a lot," Diop said. "He is helping me a ... instead to dine on fast food. Diop knows a thing or two about burger ... in Cleveland straight out of Oak Hill Academy in 2001. He drinks ... linked to better nutrition. Diop had been giving the Cavaliers ...

Article: Cavs' Diop credits chef for aiding recovery.(Knight Ridder ...
Knight Ridder/Tribune News Service;  January 4, 2004 ;     700+ words ... ... on . .. I like him a lot," Diop said. "He is helping me a ... instead to dine on fast food. Diop knows a thing or two about burger ... in Cleveland straight out of Oak Hill Academy in 2001. He drinks ... linked to better nutrition. Diop had been giving the Cavaliers ...

 
 
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