South Kent School is thrilled to announce that Badara Diakite ’25, our talented 6-foot-10 center, has committed to playing for the University of Iowa in the Big Ten Conference. Diakite made the announcement on Tuesday through an Instagram post, proudly wearing a Hawkeye jersey. He is the first verbal commit in Iowa’s 2025 recruiting class.
After an October 11 visit to Iowa City, and with offers from several competitive programs—including his first from Penn State in June 2022 and a pivotal offer from Iowa on October 7—Diakite decided that Iowa was the right place to continue his basketball journey. South Kent Cardinals Head Coach Craig Carter expressed his pride and excitement: “Badara has worked incredibly hard and shown tremendous growth, both as a player and as a person, during his time at South Kent. His commitment to Iowa is a testament to his dedication, and I have no doubt he’ll make a significant impact in the Big Ten. We’re all excited to see him take this next step.”
Ranked No. 24 among centers in the 2025 class by 247 Sports, Diakite is also listed as the No. 3 player in Connecticut. He has earned a reputation for his versatility and defensive impact, with analysts highlighting his skill set at the 2024 New England Prep Schools Showcase. This past season, Diakite played a major role in helping South Kent’s basketball program earn a No. 19 national ranking.
Head of School Brian Sullivan also shared his enthusiasm: “We are so proud of Badara and all he’s accomplished at South Kent. His journey reflects the values we strive to instill in our students—dedication, self-reliance, and a drive to excel. We know he’ll bring these qualities to Iowa and continue to make us proud as both a student and an athlete.”
South Kent School congratulates Badara Diakite ’25 as he embarks on this exciting next chapter with the Iowa Hawkeyes. We look forward to seeing him shine on the Big Ten courts.