2003 Target: Konimba Diarra

Konimba Diarra, a 6-9, 230-pound center from Our Savior New American in Centereach, New York, is a junior who has generated interest from a handful of high majors as well as some local mid-major programs.

According to Our Savior New American assistant coach Rodney Johnson, Illinois, Memphis, St. Joseph's, Stony Brook, and Northeastern have expressed interest in the native of Mali. A number of those programs will come in to see Diarra work out this spring.

Diarra, who averaged 10 points, 10 rebounds, and six blocks for an Our Savior team with a number of Division I prospects, will play with the Exodus AAU program this summer, coached by Johnson. Exodus is

slated to attend the Las Vegas Big Time Tournament and may participate in the Peach Jam along with a number of team camps.

Diarra may also participate in the Monster Jam Showcase at the Hoop Zone in New Jersey, an event that runs concurrently with the ABCD

camp.

Diarra has a solid frame and runs the floor well. He can even put it on the floor a bit. Konimba demonstrated considerable athleticism at the IS8 league Friday night when he crunched a teammate's miss in the third quarter. Diarra's game is still developing, but his physical tools and size will likely lead more high majors to hop on board this summer.

Schools like Villanova, Connecticut, Louisville, and Kentucky have expressed some interest over the past six months. If Diarra performs well this summer, he might get more serious looks from these type of high major schools.