Mamadi Diakité: “If Galbiati Gets the Respect He Deserves, He Can Go Even Further”
Mamadi Diakité: A Celebration of Team Spirit
The locker room was still smelling of champagne when Mamadi Diakité took a moment to chat with us right after Baskonia snagged the King’s Cup in 2026. It was a whirlwind of emotion filled with faith, hard work, and above all, unity—a perfect representation of what we saw on the court and how the players celebrated their victory.
Out of nowhere, Markus Howard crashed the conversation, high on adrenaline from the win, embodying everything that has made Paolo Galbiati’s team a champion. He popped in to express his gratitude to Diakité, once his opponent in the NCAA, but now one of his closest teammates. Their camaraderie is just too wholesome!
The Sacrifice
“I used to hate playing against you, but now I’m so grateful you’re on my side,” Howard exclaimed, practically gushing his appreciation. “You’re the reason we’ve won so many games. Seriously, man, you’ve sacrificed so much, playing as a power forward when you’re really a center! And you don’t even complain. You’re just out there blocking shots and stepping up when no one else can score. Thank you for everything!” Diakité smiled, taking a moment to soak in the praise before flipping the script back, saying, “That’s my guy Markus! He’s put so much on the line for us to win—last night, throughout the tournament. He’s the one who focused on defense.”
The Champions’ High
“So you guys are champions, who would’ve thought at the start of the season, huh?”
“We’re just over the moon right now! Celebrating in the locker room was wild! We had our strategy talks back at the beginning of the season. When things got tough, we reminded each other to stick together because, in basketball, everything can change. If you believe in God and put in hard work, the rest is just a story waiting to unfold. Winning this trophy means the world for any Spanish team. I feel honored and can’t wait to get back to Vitoria for more celebrations with everyone!” Diakité exclaimed.
Scaling the Giants
“You pulled off something extraordinary! Defeating La Laguna Tenerife, and then going up against Barça and Real Madrid in less than 24 hours—wow!”
“It feels surreal! I have a massive respect for both clubs. Growing up, the Barcelona and Madrid clash was the talk of the town, and winning against them in such a short time is no small feat. I’m deeply grateful to the fans who came out to support us; this victory is theirs too!”
Highlights of the Games
“Let’s talk about those epic blocks that are now part of Cup history!”
“Against Barça, that block was crucial for our win. And against Real Madrid, when Hezonja was about to receive the ball, I kept my eyes on the score. I knew a three-pointer would reel them right back in. I recalled a previous game where he nailed a triple, so I told my teammates, ‘I’m switching on this pick.’ It turned out to be Rodi (Kurucs). As soon as he got blocked, I made sure Hezonja had no space to shoot. Initially, I thought he’d go for a right-hand layup, but as I read the play, I recognized his true path and was already in position. When he released that ball, bam! I blocked it. And the rest, as they say, is history!”
Respect to the Coach
“It’s impossible to discuss this success without mentioning Galbiati, right?”
“Absolutely. He’s a phenomenal coach! He lifts us up every day, changes our mindset. Even when the losses stack up, he reminds us to keep our heads high and avoid negative body language. People need to see that he deserves support. He’s achieving results on different levels; I truly believe if he gets the respect he deserves, he can take us even further than now.”
Looking Ahead
“What do you mean by that?”
“Who knows? We didn’t start strong in the Euroleague this year. I’m also a rookie, finding my footing here. Had we had a bit more experience, I think we could’ve made waves in the Euroleague. It’s tough for a young squad to play away in Europe—it’s definitely not like the NBA. But knowing that now, I’m unsure how the future will unfold. If we do lose, let it be with honor, meaning we gave it our all!”
