Massamba Diop Picked Gonzaga Over St. John's and Rick Pitino Didn't See It Coming

Mark Few's Bulldogs just landed the prize everyone thought was headed to New York. Massamba Diop, the top remaining big man in the transfer portal, committed to Gonzaga on Tuesday after visiting St. John's, and it was a stunning flip that left Rick Pitino and the Red Storm empty handed.

The 7'0 Senegalese center visited Gonzaga back in mid-April before making the trip to New York, and most expected Pitino to lock him in. But Few found a way to get it done. Diop becomes Gonzaga's second portal pickup, joining Houston guard Isiah Harwell on the incoming class.

Why Diop Chose Spokane

Diop played for Real Madrid alongside Ismaila Diagne, who just committed to San Francisco. That connection mattered. Having a familiar face already on campus and a shared background from Madrid played a real role in Diop's decision to head to Spokane for his sophomore season.

His freshman year at Arizona State was a revelation. The guy averaged 13.6 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks in 29.6 minutes per game. He shot 59.4% on twos, 30.8% from three, and 71.5% from the free throw line. He can score anywhere on the floor, which makes him a nightmare matchup.

The Missing Piece Gonzaga Actually Needed

Gonzaga hasn't had a true rim protector since Chet Holmgren back in 2021-22, when he tied the program record with 117 blocks in a season. Since then? Tyon Grant-Foster led the team last year with just 38 rejections, mostly coming on the perimeter. That's the gap Diop fills instantly.

He blocked 69 shots last year as a freshman in the tough Big 12. Paired with Braden Huff in the frontcourt, Diop gives the Zags exactly what they've been missing: a true enforcer protecting the paint. Huff is solid rebounding, but he doesn't defend the rim well. Diop should immediately become the best rim protector in the new Pac-12 in 2026-27.

Few can now turn his attention to filling out the rest of the roster. For months, Diop's decision had tied up a chunk of Gonzaga's NIL funds. Now that he's locked in, the work to complete the roster can finally accelerate.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.