Growing up in the projects of downtown Montreal, QC, Diawara was exposed to an environment of drugs, gangs and violence. He had childhood friends that got caught up in it, but Diawara used basketball as his outlet and motivation to keep his mind focused on his goal of playing basketball at a high level.

Diawara’s dream was to play NCAA-Division-1 basketball, and while it didn’t come true, the winding path he took to get to playing for the Edmonton Stingers today is a tale of hard work and perseverance.

“It was really tough. The people I was around and grew up with are still doing those things. I had to make the decision to go down my own path,” Diawara said.

“I know where I come from and what I’ve experienced and seen, but I knew what I wanted to be and I had to separate myself from all of it.”

Diawara left his home province of Quebec and went to Lamar State Community College, in Port Arthur, TX.

The 25-year-old found out early that the junior college ranks were going to be a grind. He had to do whatever he could to carve out a role with the team.

“It wasn’t easy. Being Canadian and going down to the States, they don’t respect you as much, and it built me tougher mentally, and I used that experience to really build my game,” said Diawara. “I focused on doing all the little things on the court. Everybody could score at that level, so I focused on being a better defender, pick up guys on screens, fight for rebounds. I had to expand my game.”

After two strong seasons in Lamar State, Diawara, Division-1 schools didn’t give him an offer. Diawara chose to come back to Canada, and despite offers to stay in his home province, Diawara jetted off to the University of Calgary.

It was with the Dinos, where Diawara’s basketball career soared to new heights.

He helped the Dinos to three straight national championship appearances and in 2018, he scored the game-winning bucket in a thrilling 79-77 win over Ryerson University to capture Calgary’s first-ever national championship. As a member of the Dinos, he’s won a national title, a national silver medal and represented Canada in two FISU (Fédération Internationale du Sport Universitaire) Games as well as the Commonwealth Games.

Diawara was also named the Canada West Player of the Year in 2019.

“It was an unbelievable three years. I grew a lot in those three years. I’m a learner. I really try to pick up as much as I can from my teammates and coaches and my game really matured and I became a better leader,” said Diawara.

“Some people may look at my time in Calgary and think it came easy and you don’t have to do the little things, but my time in (junior college) really built me for that.”

Now, Diawara joins the Stingers after his first professional season in Argentina and Romania, the former Dino is looking to fit in and play a big role with the Stingers during the 2020 Summer Series in St. Catharines, Ont. later this month.

After a brief stint in Argentina, Diawara joined BC PH Miercurea Ciuc in Romania and averaged 24.4 points, 7.6 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 3.8 steals in eight games (six starts).

“My first year of pro was a year of growth for me. Making the move to Romania allowed me an opportunity to play more meaningful minutes and my style of game,” said Diawara. “I like to play high-tempo. I like to push the ball and I love to pass the ball.”

Diawara plays a ‘Swiss Army Knife’ style of game and over the last three years, he’s become a player that coaches can rely on in big moments. When the game is on the line, Diawara will find a way to make a big play happen.

“I love those moments. It’s a chance for me to prove that I can be someone my team can count on,” said Diawara. “I’ve taken a lot of L’s in the past, but I’ve always tried to keep my mind right. The work you put in is where the confidence comes from.”

Now as a professional, Diawara can’t help but think back to those tough times having to keep his focus on basketball just to stay safe and out of trouble. On the court, he thinks about the grind he went through in junior college to get where he is now as a professional.

“I’m going to have to earn everything I get as a pro, just like I did in college. I’ll take every little step I can to make myself the best pro I can be,” said Diawara. “Some guys don’t want to adapt, but that’s not how I work. You have to be willing to do the little things to prove yourself. Once you prove you can do those little things right, you’ll grow even more as a player.”