<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Not many athletes turn down more money to choose another team, especially if it is their first NBA contract. Yakhouba Diawara, a native of Paris, turned down a reported two-year, $1.8 million offer from the Dallas Mavericks to sign with the Nuggets on Wednesday. Terms of the deal were not released, but it is expected to be a two-year deal at the league minimum. "His integrity and character jumped off the page," Nuggets director of player personnel Mark Warkentien said. "After verbally agreeing to a minimum deal with us, and being offered a bigger deal, he turned it down. He is the type of person we want representing Denver." Diawara said, "I think it was a better fit for me." The 6-foot-7, 225-pound Diawara can play shooting guard and small forward for coach George Karl. "(Karl) was the reason I came here. They played me at summer camp," Diawara said. "I've been here for a couple weeks and I'm just comfortable. Sometimes when you are comfortable you just go with it." Diawara is coming off a strong showing in the Las Vegas summer league. "I can do a lot for the team," Diawara said. "I play a lot of defense, make open shots and bring energy and attitude to the game. I am excited." Diawara, 23, played two years at Pepperdine for coach Paul Westphal, where he averaged 15.5 points and six rebounds per game. He spent two years at the College of Southern Idaho, a junior college, before transferring to Pepperdine. </div> Source
Yep, heard about him while I was in France, never had the opportunity to watch him play though. From what I remember a friend of mine in the mag we wrote for had to write something short on him during a scout report he took. He reported basically everything this article posted by Shapecity has stated that the youngster has a good personality and excellent workmanship. He also works very hard to get the job done and works better to adapt to tougher situations during a game. He has a ton of confidence in his abilities and believes nothing more than what he is or can currently do. He is known to believe he will only be able to be one of the best in time and with effort. This accounts to his good personaility trait and is well known in French basketball programs for such. This is a fantastic pick up for the Denver Nuggets, which could see good promise in the next two seasons.
