A 6’10” forward from Bamako, Mali, Sikou Diagouraga found a love for basketball during his teen years, which led him to Three Rivers College, where he is excelling.
“When I first got here to the United States, I wasn’t really playing basketball like that,” Diagouraga said. “I started playing basketball in the streets with my uncle. He helped me a lot. Then, I went to a showcase in Queens, New York. I met somebody over there, and it led me to prep school. I spent one year over there, then I got an offer to Three Rivers.”
Diagouraga is coached by Robert Kirby, along with Kirby’s two assistant coaches, Cedric Henderson and Garret King. Kirby gave him the offer that led to his being a part of the team.
“That was a dream for me to play college basketball,” he said. “The first time I talked to Coach Kirby on the phone, and at that time, that was a blessing for me to go to college and play for Coach Kirby.”
Diagouraga said the coaching staff prepares the team for each game through training.
“The training staff really does a lot,” he added. “We really get better every single day. Sometimes, physically and mentally, you don’t really know what you’re doing, but they’ll talk to you and tell you that’s what you’ve got to do.”
Diagouraga draws inspiration from two NBA superstars, one of whom won a championship with the Milwaukee Bucks in 2021 over the Phoenix Suns. The other is a member of the Dallas Mavericks, but won a championship in 2020 with the Los Angeles Lakers in six games over the Miami Heat.
“My favorite player is Giannis [Antetokounmpo],” Diagouraga said. “I also like Anthony Davis because I’m trying to play in the post and do all those kinds of things.”
The Raiders are currently 4-4 on the season with their next game at 4 p.m. Saturday, at home against Southern Arkansas University Tech. During the season thus far, Diagouraga has had a field goal percentage of 58.8 and averaged 4.5 rebounds per game.
Diagouraga is one of 16 players on the men’s roster. He enjoys his teammates and appreciates everything they do for him.
“I love my team,” Diagouraga added. “Whenever I do something wrong, they come and talk to me and tell me how to do it, and to keep going, and you got this. If I need a ride somewhere, they've got me.”
Outside of athletics, Diagouraga is a sophomore, majoring in agricultural business. He credited his family for encouraging him.
“For my family, they really support me,” he said. “They call me all the time and tell me this is what you’ve got to do in basketball or anything really. They support me. That really keeps me going. Anytime I do that, I’m thinking this is for my family, this is for my country and continent, I’m doing this for everyone to get better every single day, too.”
Following his days at Three Rivers, Diagouraga hopes to continue playing basketball for the next school he joins.
“I’m trying to go to a Division 1 school,” he added. “I’m trying to go where I can play and enjoy the game.”
Alex Martin - Daily American Republic