A Canadian championship that changed everything for Ismaël Diouf

After his first college season, Ismaël Diouf doubted his chances of reaching the university ranks. Four years later, not only is he a Canadian champion with the Rouge et Or, but the Montreal Alliance made him the very first choice in the recent Canadian Elite Basketball League draft.

The general manager of the Alliance had spoken to me to see if I was interested, but I found out I was the first pick in the draft at the same time as everyone elselaunches the star center player of the Rouge et Or about his selection last week.

The latter doesn’t hide it, he can hardly believe what is happening to him. With an average of 18.3 points and 11.7 rebounds per game during the 8 Ultime presented at Laval University in March, the 2nd year player guided the host team to the most improbable conquest in history of Canadian university basketball. Three matches, three victories, which changed the course of his career.

I think I was able to show everyone in the country how I played. I kind of set my standard. I have never had as much confidence in my game as these last matches relates the 22-year-old athlete.

A question of trust

This increased confidence is what explains the emergence of Ismaël Diouf, believes the head coach of the Rouge et Or, Nathan Grant. Because at 2 m 06 (6’9”) and 98 kg (215 pounds), his protégé has always had the physical profile to aspire to a professional career.

In his position, there are no great athletes in the country who have this kind of ability with this greatness.

Capable of shooting three-pointers as well as patrolling the bottom of the baskets, Diouf experienced his first breakthrough during his career with the Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu Cégep Giants.

My journey was truly a roller coaster, but when I left CEGEP, I knew I wanted basketball to become my job. When I got here, I told Nathan I wanted to play professional and he told me he could take me there.

Back with the Rouge et Or in the fall

The road was ultimately shorter than expected, but the Rouge et Or did not emerge as losers, on the contrary. For the next few years, the native of Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu will benefit from a status of development player in the LECB. This means that he will be able to play with the Alliance during the season, which takes place during the summer, then return with the Rouge et Or in the fall.

It’s going to be a good challenge, but I’m really going to learn. I think I’ll be able to guide the guys a little bit when I get back here on the work ethic it takes to play professional. […] The team is already thinking about another championshiprelates the most valuable player of the Ultimate 8.

Returning to training just one week after winning the Rouge et Or, Ismaël Diouf is well aware that he has still a lot to improve.

He has always had an impeccable work ethic, but you can already see a difference in the way he approaches training and bodybuilding. We see the determination in his eyesrejoices Nathan Grant.

His center player will have a target on his back next season, notes the coach, but this is a necessary step for any player aiming for the top. The bar is high now for him. The way teams play him is going to be different, but it’s going to help him continue to develop his game for the next level.