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With the Ohio State Buckeyes taking a short break before the men’s basketball team officially moves in and starts practices, the players have been given a few weeks off to head home, visit family, and recharge their batteries.
However, taking a trip home is a little more difficult for incoming freshman Ibrahima Diallo. While he played high school basketball in both California and Pennsylvania, Diallo is originally from Senegal, and left his family to pursue his basketball career before committing to Ohio State earlier this year.
On Wednesday, Buckeye basketball coach Chris Holtmann posted a video on Twitter of Diallo surprising his mother back in Senegal after not seeing his family in more than three years.
The fellas are getting a few weeks back home to give all their great Mom’s a big hug. Ibrahima decided to surprise his family in Senegal. It’s been over 3 yrs since he’s seen his family. Special moment! pic.twitter.com/rhdPOPHens
— Chris Holtmann (@ChrisHoltmann) July 31, 2019
The 7-foot, 200 pound center comes into Ohio State as a three-star recruit, who has the potential to develop into an exciting player for the Buckeyes. Reports indicate that he’s already added a significant amount of muscle since arriving on campus.
Diallo was part of a four-person 2019 recruiting class for Holtmann, joining three top-50 players in point guard D.J. Carton and forwards E.J. Liddell and Alonzo Gaffney.