By JAMES MADDEN & SAM LANCE
KANSAS CITY, KS — Elhadji Diallo has only been playing organized basketball for around three years, but he has emerged as a high-upside target in the class of 2026. At 6-foot-7, 200 pounds, Diallo is an athletic wing originally from Senegal, but has lived in the United States for the past three years. He is playing for the New York Lightning of the Nike EYBL circuit this summer. Diallo has done it all for his team this spring, averaging 9.7 points per game and 7.7 rebounds per game.
“My game really improved this weekend,” Diallo told ZAGSBLOG. “I’ve been working on it. This session was really good for me.”
Diallo plays much bigger than his frame due to his 7-foot wingspan. He is an above-average rebounder and slasher with raw potential and upside. He has focused mostly on improving his defense and becoming a threat on the block. He said his best trait is his post moves.
“Being able to attack the hoop or attack for a fadeaway jump shot or pass to the opposite corner,” he said.
Diallo credits his older brother, Ibrahima Diallo, as one of his biggest basketball inspirations and guides. Ibrahima spent three seasons at Rutgers and has served as a mentor for Elhadji throughout his recruitment process. Due to his unique skillset and upside, Diallo has accumulated offers and interest from various programs around the country. He holds offers from Georgia State, Mississippi State, Northern Illinois, Rutgers and Virginia Tech, with interest from others. He provided ZAGSBLOG with an update on his recruitment: Mississippi State: “I’m talking to coach (Patrice) Days. They’ve got a really good program. They really help players. You’ve got to be able to play defense and I’m 6’7, but I can rebound really good, I can play defense and my post moves too.” LSU: “I’m still talking to coach (Casey) Long. He was watching my game for a while. He’s been texting me, we’ve been talking.” Syracuse: “I was talking to the General Manager (Alex Kline). He’s a good guy. Right now, they just want to see more. And I’m gonna show more in this coming session in July.” Diallo said he hasn’t heard from Rutgers much lately. The three-star will take the process slowly and be patient, but heading into his most important summer as basketball player, he has certain characteristics in mind while looking for his future home. “I just want to look for somewhere I will fit,” Diallo said. “A program that will take care of me. I think I still have got a lot to learn about basketball. Like I said it’s my third year playing organized basketball.” When he’s not on the hardwood, Diallo is an avid soccer player and enjoys spending time with his older brother, Ibrahima, and watching a player he idolizes in Kawhi Leonard. Diallo is ranked the No. 175 overall prospect in the 2026 class by 247Sports. Follow James Madden on Twitter Follow Adam Zagoria on Twitter Follow ZAGSBLOGHoops on Instagram Like ZAGS on FacebookSome highlights of the past weekend
— ELHADJI DIALLO (@DIALLOMAR26) May 27, 2025
EYBL SESSION 3 pic.twitter.com/48Y2AQndgd
