4/28/2020 3:30:00 PM | Men's Basketball
REBEL CHECK-IN
MBACKE DIONG
UNLV MEN'S BASKETBALL
JUNIOR COMMUNICATIONS STUDIES MAJOR
April 28, 2020
LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) - When it comes to basketball, Runnin' Rebel junior Mbacke Diong has a one-track mind. Every day his mission is simple - do everything in his power to improve. Whether that is in the weightroom or on the practice court, every ounce of his energy is devoted to getting better.
Diong's efforts have paid off. He has improved every year that he has been at UNLV, proven by his increases year-over-year in scoring, rebounding, games started and minutes played.
When the COVID-19 crisis shut everything down, Diong could no longer be in the weightroom, on the practice floor, or around most of his teammates. But that hasn't changed his motivation to get better in every part of his game - and his life.
UNLVRebels.com had a chance this week to check in with the 6-foot-11-inch junior forward from Dakar, Senegal.
---
UNLVRebels.com: What were you doing as a team when the season ended?
Mbacke Diong: Once the season was over, we got right back at it a couple of days later. We were back on the court starting our offseason workouts. We had started to focus on getting ready for next season.
U: What was your reaction when things started to shut down?
D: We couldn't get to the gym as we used to, everything was closed. We couldn't go to the Mendenhall Center, couldn't get in our locker room. So it was kind of crazy, because that's what we did every day and that's what we were used to. Workout, school and nothing else. So we were just told to stay at home. That was pretty tough, but hopefully this thing will be over soon.
U: Did you go home or stay in Las Vegas?
D: I stayed in Las Vegas and am in our apartment with my roommates. But it is different. People are practicing social distancing and a lot of the residents went home, so the place is pretty unrecognizable in terms of what it was like when campus was open. We don't see too many people when we are not in our room and they have ramped up the cleaning efforts.
U: What are you doing to try to stay in shape?
D: I have a bike, so I have been riding as much as I can around UNLV for cardio and to get a good sweat. Usually about 30 minutes at a time. I usually stop and then run stairs before going back home. I have bands, a few weights and have been doing a lot of pushups. We also have an app that the athletics department has helped set up called Train Heroic and the strength coach helps us with that to help us stay in shape.
Checking in with @TheRunninRebels' @MbackeDiong 🏀
— UNLV Athletics (@UNLVathletics) April 28, 2020
✅ What has he learned from watching The Last Dance❓
✅ What is he looking forward to the most❓
That & more answered in the Rebel Check-In: https://t.co/EIwDX2JUru#BEaREBEL #AlwaysVegasStrong #UNLVmbb pic.twitter.com/JOhaswgdbc
U: How is your family back home in Senegal?
D: They are all healthy, staying inside. They aren't going anywhere. Things are a little more strict there. You can't go out of your house certain times of the day. And they have to wear masks everywhere they go. If they don't follow the rules, they can get in trouble.
U: Have you done anything different in your life now that you aren't as busy?
D: I am in Ramadan right now, so I have taken advantage of this time to focus on my faith. The last couple of years it has been much harder because of our busy schedule with workouts and school. But right now I'm really taking the time to focus on myself and try to learn some new things about myself and my people.
U: Are there any new skills you are trying to learn during this time?
D: I have tried to improve my cooking skills. I'm trying to eat healthy, but with all this time I can go grocery shopping and try to learn to make something off watching YouTube. My favorite thing I have tried is baked chicken and have experimented with seasoning. I also tried to follow a steak recipe from Gordon Ramsey. That didn't work out as well as I hoped. I have had some success and also have had some failures in the kitchen.
U: Do you miss being around your teammates?
D: Oh yeah, I miss the guys and going to the gym and just hanging out in the locker room. That's something I really can't wait to do again when this is over.
U: What are you most looking forward to when things get back to normal?
D: Definitely the barber shop, getting my haircut. I'm also looking forward to Mendenhall Center opening again. When you have goals and want to improve, you have to be somewhere practicing it. So I really can't wait to get back in the gym and being out on the court. Also seeing my teammates. I'm looking forward to getting to know the new guys as well so that when the season starts the transition will be easier.
U: How are you staying in touch with your teammates?
D: We have regular Zoom calls once a week with all of the coaches and all of the players, then we also have regular calls with just the players without the coaches. We talk about expectations but also have a chance to joke around with each other. We are getting to know each other a little bit, but it's definitely not the same as all being in the same place.
U: Have you binge watched anything?
D: I haven't binge watched, but am enjoying watching The Last Dance. I have learned a lot from it. One thing that really stood out is how well the Bulls really knew each of their teammates. They knew what they needed, trusted each other and listened to the coach. We can all learn from that. If you really understand each other and are connected, in tough times you can come together and stay together as a team and win.
U: What is your message for Rebel fans right now?
D: We are all in this together and hopefully this passes soon. I also hope everyone is staying safe out there and I am looking forward to seeing everyone at the Thomas & Mack Center soon.
