The Iowa men’s basketball team landed a big commitment on Tuesday, with 6-foot-10 center Badara Diakite becoming the first verbal commit of the 2025 recruiting class for the Hawkeyes.
Diakite officially announced his intent to play at Iowa late Tuesday afternoon in an Instagram post, featuring a shot of him in a Hawkeye jersey.
The decision came after a visit to Iowa City on Oct. 11, by which Diakite had already received four different offers, starting with the Nittany Lions of Penn State on June 12, 2022. Iowa was the center’s second offer, coming in on Oct. 7, 2024.
Diakite, a student at South Kent School in South Kent, Connecticut, comes in at No. 24 in the class of 2025’s top centers, according to 247 Sports. He is also ranked No. 3 as a player in the state of Connecticut and No. 129 nationally.
Diakite is coming off a season that ended with South Kent School’s men’s basketball program ranked No. 19 in the nation.
“The lanky forward showed versatility on both ends of the floor this weekend, using his tools and length to impact shots and generate steals all while showing a diversified shot portfolio,” Pro Insight wrote of Diakite’s performance at the 2024 New England Prep Schools Showcase in July. “His name continues to be one to watch closely heading into his senior season.”