IDAHO BASKETBALL: Junior College big man Diao latest signee for Vandals

MOSCOW — Idaho men’s basketball added inside size this week by securing the commitment of 6-foot-10 forward Mo Diao, who played the last two seasons at the junior college level. 

“We’re really excited about the addition of Mo,” Idaho coach Alex Pribble said. “He has been the top rim protector in junior college basketball the past two years, and he will bring an immediate interior presence to help anchor our defense.”

During his 2025-26 campaign at McCook (Neb.) Community College, Diao started 25 games for the Indians, pulling down a team-high 7.3 rebounds a night in addition to scoring 11.4 points. The incoming junior posted six double-doubles last season. 

As a freshman at North Platte (Neb.) Community College, he averaged 14.7 points and 8.1 rebounds, while shooting 52.6% from the field to help the Knights win 19 games. While playing along fellow Idaho spring signee Brady Kennison, Diao posted nine double-doubles, and was one of the top-50 rebounders in the nation. 

The native of Dakar, Senegal is UI’s 11th spring signee, and joins Kennison as the second junior college addition to a nearly complete Vandal roster.