Buffs Add Diop To Backcourt For 2017-18
April 18, 2017 | Women's Basketball
BOULDER – Colorado women's basketball coach JR Payne announced that Mathilde Diop has signed a National Letter of Intent to join the Buffaloes for the 2017-18 season. Diop is the fifth player to sign with the Buffs and the second junior college transfer. She will have three years of eligibility remaining.
"We are so excited to add Mathilde to our Buff family today," Payne said. "She is an outstanding young lady and brings an incredible work ethic and a true desire to be great. She will bring depth to our fantastic backcourt both offensively and defensively. Mathilde is long, versatile, athletic, and is someone who can fill up a stat sheet in all areas of the game."
A 6-foot-2 guard, Diop spent her freshman season at Arizona Western College in 2016-17. At AWC, she averaged 9.7 points, 5.5 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 2.1 steals and 1.2 blocked shots, while starting 27 of 30 games. She scored in double figures 16 times, including a season-high 17 points in a 65-45 win over Glendale C.C. on Feb. 18. She also had two games of 10 rebounds and season highs of seven assists, four steals and four blocks. Arizona Western finished the season 23-9 and reached the regional final.
A native of Dakar, Senegal, she can speak four different languages and graduated from high school in Arras, France. Her father Mouhamadou Moustapha Diop was also an Olympian in Senegal and played for Stade Francais.
Colorado finished the 2016-17 with a 17-16 record under Payne, who was in her first season in Boulder. She guided the Buffs to the third round of the WNIT.
"We are so excited to add Mathilde to our Buff family today," Payne said. "She is an outstanding young lady and brings an incredible work ethic and a true desire to be great. She will bring depth to our fantastic backcourt both offensively and defensively. Mathilde is long, versatile, athletic, and is someone who can fill up a stat sheet in all areas of the game."
A 6-foot-2 guard, Diop spent her freshman season at Arizona Western College in 2016-17. At AWC, she averaged 9.7 points, 5.5 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 2.1 steals and 1.2 blocked shots, while starting 27 of 30 games. She scored in double figures 16 times, including a season-high 17 points in a 65-45 win over Glendale C.C. on Feb. 18. She also had two games of 10 rebounds and season highs of seven assists, four steals and four blocks. Arizona Western finished the season 23-9 and reached the regional final.
A native of Dakar, Senegal, she can speak four different languages and graduated from high school in Arras, France. Her father Mouhamadou Moustapha Diop was also an Olympian in Senegal and played for Stade Francais.
Colorado finished the 2016-17 with a 17-16 record under Payne, who was in her first season in Boulder. She guided the Buffs to the third round of the WNIT.
Colorado Women's Basketball: Cooking with the Buffs
Friday, July 18
Colorado Women's Basketball WBIT second Round Press Conference
Sunday, March 23
Women's Basketball: Colorado vs Gonzaga Highlights | Mar 23, 2025
Sunday, March 23
Colorado Women's Basketball WBIT First Round Press Conference
Friday, March 21