The 23-year-old center has made waves in the BAL over the last three seasons
Virtus reels in Aliou Diarra
Makale
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Virtus Bologna has announced the signing of Aliou Diarra, who has penned a multi-year agreement with the Italian club.
Diarra (2.08 meters, 23 years old) spent last season playing for APR in the Basketball Africa League (BAL), averaging 17.4 points, 11.4 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 3.3 blocks and 1.4 steals in eight games for the Rwanda-based team.
A Mali international, Diarra's first professional season came in 2023 as he played eight times in the BAL for Malian club Stade Malien, posting 18.0 points, 12.9 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 2.3 blocks and 1.4 steals. That same campaign, he joined FUS Rabat in Morocco and averaged 13.3 points, 9.8 rebounds, 1.5 blocks and 1.0 steal per night across four BAL appearances.
Diarra remained with Rabat for the 2024 BAL season, posting 16.5 points, 10.0 rebounds, 1.0 assist, 2.2 blocks and 1.0 steal in six games before averaging 13.3 points, 9.8 rebounds, 1.5 blocks and 1.0 steal in four fixtures.
Across his three years playing in the BAL, Diarra has twice been the Defensive Player of the Year (2023, 2025), is a two-time All-BAL First Team selection (2023, 2024), a three-time BAL All-Defensive Team member (2023, 2024, 2025), the BAL rebounding leader in 2023, and a two-time leader in blocks (2023, 2025).