Massamba Diop Named to Abdul-Jabbar Watch List

The Gonzaga center earns recognition on the preseason list for the annual top collegiate men's basketball award.

Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in Basketball

Expressive editorial sports illustration of a Gonzaga basketball player in mid-pivot, emphasizing dynamic motion and team colors. — Gonzaga center Massamba Diop has been named to the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award preseason watch list, recognizing top collegiate centers. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame has named Gonzaga sophomore Massamba Diop to the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award preseason watch list. The list features 20 collegiate players identified as top candidates for the annual honor given to the nation's best center.

Why it matters

The recognition highlights Diop as a critical addition to the Gonzaga frontcourt as the team prepares for the upcoming season. He arrives in Spokane following a standout freshman campaign at Arizona State where he established himself as a dominant defensive presence.

The 7-foot-1 center recorded 69 blocks during his freshman season, averaging 13.6 points and 5.8 rebounds per game. He joins a list of 20 players selected by the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

The players

Massamba Diop

He is a 7-foot-1 sophomore center for Gonzaga University who previously played for Arizona State.

Davis Fogle

He is a collegiate basketball player recently named to the preseason watch list for the Julius Erving Award.

Braden Huff

He is a collegiate basketball player who earned a spot on the preseason watch list for the Karl Malone Award.

The details

Diop transferred to Gonzaga in April 2026 after completing his freshman year at Arizona State. He is expected to bolster the Zags' interior defense alongside teammates Davis Fogle and Braden Huff, who were named to the Julius Erving and Karl Malone award watch lists respectively.

Massamba Diop committed to Gonzaga in April 2026.
The center was named to the watch list in October 2026.

Season Trajectory

This selection follows the pattern set by the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame's positional awards. Inclusion on these watch lists serves as a key indicator of the expected competitive hierarchy for the upcoming college basketball season.

Diop's inclusion signals a significant defensive upgrade for Gonzaga's interior rotation this season. His presence creates a new tactical dimension for the team's frontcourt compared to previous roster configurations.

The takeaway

Players appearing on preseason watch lists are frequently monitored by NBA scouts as potential professional prospects. Fans can track Diop's progress through the season to see if he remains a candidate for the final award selection in the spring.