Diakite orally commits to Louisville
Nouha Diakite became the first player for this year's Barton County Community College basketball team to commit to a 4-year school, giving Rick Pittino and the Louisville Cardinals his commitment.

Diakite, a 6-10 sophomore from Athis-Mons, France, played in all 32 games for the Cougars as a freshman, starting on five occasions. He averaged four points and four rebounds per contest. He was also second on the team with 40 blocked shots.

During play this summer at camps, Diakite's stock rose. Mike Martin of the Midwest Scouting Service rates Diakite ranked as the No. 2 center in junior college basketball behind teammate Robert Whaley.

After an impressive performance at the Jerry Mullins camp recently, several schools sent coaches to Barton County.

He chose Louisville over Alabama and Wyoming, though Nebraska, Kentucky, Auburn, Tennessee, DePaul and others had also visited.

The Cougars will kick off their 2002-03 season on Halloween when they travel to West Plains, Mo. The Cougars will take on Lee College at 5 p.m. in the Ozark Medical Center Tipoff Classic hosted by Southwest Missouri State-West Plains.