SDSU Is Building Its Frontcourt Before the Portal Sends the Bill

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Landing Mahamadou Diop and Precious Sam is more than a recruiting win. In today’s NIL market, it gives San Diego State a chance to address an expensive position before desperation enters the equation.

Proven big men command serious money. CBS Sports reported in April that elite portal center Flory Bidunga was seeking $5 million for the following season. That was a reported asking price at the top of the market, but it illustrates the financial competition programs face when shopping for established size.

For SDSU, the need is coming. With Bear Cherry finishing his eligibility and Luca Vincini’s eligibility understood to be limited to this season, Thokbor Majak projects as the only returning traditional center eligible for 2027–28. Entering the offseason needing multiple big men would leave the Aztecs shopping from a position of urgency.

Diop and Sam change that picture.

Diop: Four-star talent with defensive upside

Diop, a four-star center at San Gabriel Academy, is listed by Rivals at 6-foot-11 and 210 pounds. Its Industry ranking places him No. 66 nationally, with listed offers including USC, UCLA, Texas Tech, Virginia Tech and West Virginia.

His appeal starts around the basket. Prep Hoops’ live scouting highlighted his shot-blocking instincts, rebounding and put-back finishing, along with encouraging post footwork and midrange touch. That gives SDSU a defensive prospect with offensive tools worth developing.

For an Aztec reference, think of the defensive role Nathan Mensah filled: protecting the basket and cleaning up possessions. That is a stylistic comparison based on Diop’s reported strengths, rather than a prediction of immediate college production. His developing offense adds another reason to be excited.

Sam: Three-star size with room to grow

Sam is a three-star center at Southeastern Prep, listed at 6-foot-11 and 235 pounds, with a reported 7-foot-5 wingspan. His reported offers include USC, Arizona State, California, UCF, TCU, Wake Forest and Florida State.

At Peach Jam, he averaged 7.2 points, 7.0 rebounds and 1.4 blocks while shooting 66.7% across five games. Having only started playing basketball in 2020, he still has considerable development ahead. The combination of his physical tools and relatively limited basketball experience makes that development especially intriguing.

Aguek Arop offers a useful comparison for the role SDSU could develop him toward: a long interior defender who screens, rebounds and finishes around the basket without needing the offense built around him. Sam has to earn that comparison through his play; the appeal is the potential fit.

Options before the bidding starts

Their commitments give Brian Dutcher two incoming centers to develop alongside Thok. SDSU could still add a veteran transfer, but the staff can evaluate a specific need instead of scrambling to rebuild the position.

Recruiting high school players still requires investment. Neither player’s compensation is publicly established here, and retaining productive players can become expensive. These commitments guarantee neither savings nor long-term continuity.

What they offer is flexibility. SDSU can invest in development, evaluate its returning options and decide where an experienced addition is truly necessary.

Two freshmen will still need to prove they can handle college basketball. But with a thin returning center group and premium prices for proven replacements, securing both now looks like sensible roster planning.

The Aztecs are giving themselves options before next spring’s bidding begins.