BasketBulls Pick Up Second Commitment

USFBullsEYE.com has learned that Our Savior New American (Centereach, N.Y.) center Konimba Diarra has made an oral commitment to play at South Florida.

Diarra is USF's second commitment, following Seward County Community College (Liberal, Kan.) point guard Ricardo Freeman.

The 6-foot-9, 230-pound rebounder/defender made official visits to South Florida, St. Joseph's (Pa.) and SUNY Stoney Brook, and also received interest from Conference USA rivals Marquette and Saint Louis before deciding to play his college ball in Tampa.

"What made the difference for him as far as choosing South Florida was that he felt he had the opportunity to play quickly and at a high level (in Conference USA)," said Our Savior Head Coach Ron Stelzer. "He also has a great deal of respect for their coaching staff and their ability to get the most out of him. And he has a former high school teammate on the team (freshman guard Sheldon Franklin)."

Diarra is a RivalsHoops.com three-star recruit and ranks as the No. 26 center prospect in the nation. A native of the small African nation of Mali, he came to the United States three years ago and enrolled at Our Savior New American.

Diarra averaged 10 points, 10 rebounds and six blocked shots as a junior last season. He had a solid summer, which included participation in the prestigious addidas ABCD camp, generally considered the top showcase of high school talent.

South Florida will now focus its recruiting efforts on signing a scoring wing player. One prospect who fits that bill, Miami Christian's Jesus Verdejo is scheduled to be on campus for an official visit beginning today.