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WVU Men's Basketball Makes Cut As Top Option For Elite 4-Star Class of 2026 Center

Aliou Dioum, a top-80 prospect in the Class of 2026, has included the West Virginia Mountaineers in his final six schools.
ByDylan Pauley|
Mar 15, 2025; Fort Worth, TX, USA; North Texas Mean Green head coach Ross Hodge reacts against the UAB Blazers during the first half at Dickies Arena. Mandatory Credit: Chris Jones-Imagn Images
Mar 15, 2025; Fort Worth, TX, USA; North Texas Mean Green head coach Ross Hodge reacts against the UAB Blazers during the first half at Dickies Arena. Mandatory Credit: Chris Jones-Imagn Images | Chris Jones-Imagn Images

Upcoming first-year head coach Ross Hodge has already been active in getting 2026 recruits for WVU men's basketball.

Four-star center Aliou Dioum has narrowed his choice of schools to six, including the West Virginia Mountaineers. The other five schools include Wake Forrest, Illinois, Mississippi State, UNLV, and Syracuse. Dioum is a top 80 recruit in the 2026 class, according to On3.

Dioum is a 6-foot-10, 200-pound center from Bella Vista Prep in Scottsdale, Arizona. The big man is widely considered a four-star prospect.

Dioum could add a much-needed presence in the WVU frontcourt

The depth of the WVU frontcourt has been stretched a bit at its best in the past couple of years. During the 2024-2025 season, Eduardo Andre and Amani Hansberry split time at the center position. Both were a bit undersized, especially Hansberry, who was listed at 6-foot-8. The year prior, WVU did not have much depth behind Jesse Edwards, with Patrick Suemnick and Akok Akok getting time in relief of Edwards. Suemnick was also listed at 6-foot-8 and Akok was listed at 6-foot-10.

A consistent big shot-blocking presence has been lacking since the days of Derek Culver in the 2020-2021 season, which was cut short due to COVID-19. Could Dioum bring that presence back to the paint for the Mountaineers? Only time will tell, but having multiple 6-foot-10 guys on the depth chart for the 2026-2027 season already is not a bad idea (of course, that is assuming that Dioum would commit to WVU).

As of writing this, WVU basektball will only have Abraham Oyeadier and DJ Thomas remaining on the roster for the 2026-2027 season at the frontcourt positions. Adding Dioum would be a huge get for upcoming first-year head coach Ross Hodge.

All WVU basketball fans can do is wait and see where Dioum chooses to play in college. With only five other schools in the mix, the Mountaineers seemingly have as good a chance as anyone else to sign the 6’10” center.

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