University of Nevada Las Vegas

2020-21 MEDIA GUIDE BIO (PDF)


UNLV CAREER
Diong is in his fourth season as a Runnin' Rebel ... One of two team captains entering the 2020-21 season ... Has appeared in 89 career games, making 49 starts ... Has averages of 5.6 points and 5.7 rebounds per game ... Has shot 56.2 percent from the field ... Has recorded six double-doubles, has scored 10 or more points in 16 games and has had double-figure rebounding 14 times.

JUNIOR (2019-20)
Appeared in all 32 of UNLV's games, making 27 starts ... Averaged 7.7 points and 7.9 rebounds per game ... Shot 54.4 percent from the field ... Led the team in rebounding and blocked shots for a second ...  Ranked fifth in the MW in rebounding and second in blocks (1.2 per game) ... Recorded five double-doubles, scored in double figures nine times and had 10 or more rebounds in nine games ... Scored a career-high 19 points vs. Jackson State and then again at San Jose State ... Had a career-high 17 rebounds vs. Purdue Fort Wayne ... Led the team in scoring three times and rebounding 17 times.

SOPHOMORE (2018-19)
Appeared in 27 games, making 22 starts ... Averaged 6.9 points and 6.8 rebounds per game in 24.2 minutes per contest ... Led the team in rebounding and blocks (1.5 bpg) ... Shot a team-leading 59.1 percent from the field ... Ranked 11th in the Mountain West in rebounding and was third in blocks and offensive rebounds (2.6 rpg) ... Recorded double figures in scoring seven times, including a career-high 16 points vs. Pacific ... Collected double-figure rebounds in five games, including a career-high 15 vs. San Diego State ... Had his first double-double at Illinois with 13 points and 13 rebounds ... Blocked a career-high five shots vs. Loyola Marymount.

FRESHMAN (2017-18)
Earned Academic All-Mountain West honors ... Appeared in 30 games, averaging 9.2 minutes per contest ... Averaged 2.1 points and 2.5 rebounds per game ... Tied for second on the team in blocks with 21 ... Shot 55.0 percent from the field ... Had a career-high nine points and four blocks vs. New Mexico ... Pulled down a career-high and team-leading seven rebounds at San Diego State. 

HIGH SCHOOL
A 2017 graduate of Florida Prep Academy in Melbourne, Florida ... Averaged 14.1 points, 11.0 rebounds and 3.3 blocks per game for the Falcons ... Earned Player of the Year and Regional All-Star honors ... Coached by Julius Reid ... The team was regional and district champions ... Came to the United States in August 2016.

PERSONAL
Cheikh Mbacke Diong was born Dec. 11, 1999, in Dakar, Senegal ... Majoring in human services ... Son of Momar Diong and Astou Diankha Ndiaye ... Has five siblings: Nogaye (23), Astou (18), Fallou (17), Mame Thierno (14) and Khadim (8) ... Enjoys watching movies, listening to music and talking to his family back home ... Credits his family as his biggest influence because they motivate him to work as hard as he can.