CHARLOTTE (CHARLOTTE SPORTS LIVE) — The Hornets have signed forward Moussa Diabate to a multi-year contract extension, the team announced on Sunday.
According to ESPN reports, the deal is a standard three-year NBA contract. Previously, Diabate was on a two-way deal with the G-League.
Diabate has played in 42 games (five starts) and is averaging career highs in points (4.7), rebounds (7.1) field goal percentage (59.4%), and minutes (19). Diabate currently ranks third in the NBA in offense rebounds per 36 minutes (5.9).
Diabate was born in Paris and played college basketball at the University of Michigan. He was drafted 43rd overall to the LA Clippers in 2022 where he spent two seasons before signing a two-way deal with the Hornets on July 31.
Diabate has been emerging as a strong player in Charles Lee’s rotation over the last few weeks. On the Hornets’ recent nine-game homestand, Diabate averaged 8.8 points and 9.7 rebounds in 23.7 minutes per game
After the trade with the Lakers fell through, the Hornets now have a strong frontcourt presence with Mark Williams, Diabate, and veteran Taj Gibson.