Late-Season Report Card: NC State Basketball Forward Ismael Diouf
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Seldom used in the early going of his first NC State basketball campaign while dealing with an elbow injury after arriving out of Laval College in Quebec, Ismael Diouf has gained favor off the bench of late.
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As the NC State Wolfpack (9-14, 2-10 ACC) has seen its losing streak extend to eight, the 6-foot-9, 215-pound junior big man has totaled 47 minutes between the past two outings. Those efforts include nine points and five rebounds in Saturday night's 74-73 road defeat at the hands of Stanford.
Through 13 appearances as a Wolfpack player, the 22-year-old Diouf is averaging 2.8 points and 1.6 rebounds in 9.8 minutes per game.
Came for the bucket. Stayed for the reaction. pic.twitter.com/DCNUYg1vEA
— NC State Men's Basketball (@PackMensBball) January 16, 2025
He's shooting 50.0 percent from the field, 16.7 percent from downtown (1-for-6), and 57.1 percent at the foul line (4-for-7).
Late-Season NC State Basketball Player Grade for Ismael Diouf: 80.5 (B-)
Looking for an upset spark at home, Ismael Diouf and the eighth NC State Wolfpack collection under Kevin Keatts' command are getting ready to welcome the Louisville Cardinals (18-6, 11-2 ACC) to the Lenovo Center at 7 p.m. ET Wednesday (ESPN2).
RANKED LATE-SEASON NC STATE WOLFPACK ON SI REPORT CARDS:
1. Marcus Hill
4. Trey Parker
8. Ismael Diouf
9. Paul McNeil
Stay tuned to NC State Wolfpack On SI for more on the 2024-25 NC State basketball season and other Wolfpack news.
Matt Giles is the editor and publisher of NC State Wolfpack on SI, Duke Blue Devils on SI, and North Carolina Tar Heels on SI, making him a key source for comprehensive coverage of these storied college basketball programs. Since joining NC State Wolfpack on SI in 2024, Matt has been dedicated to providing in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive content on all three teams. He covers everything from game previews and recaps to player profiles and recruiting updates. Matt's expert knowledge of these teams has made his work a go-to resource for fans and followers of Duke, NC State, and UNC. As publisher, he shapes the editorial direction, ensuring that the most relevant and timely information reaches his audience.
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