One of the most coveted players in the Class of 2026, Arafan Diane has emerged as the premier big man prospect in high school basketball. Standing 7-foot-1 and weighing 260 pounds, the Montreal native is ranked the No. 1 center and No. 15 overall prospect in the country by 247Sports, with a long list of high-major programs vying for his commitment.
Diane, who now plays at Iowa United Prep in Des Moines after a season at Institut de Sport Dynastie in Quebec, has steadily climbed recruiting boards thanks to his rare combination of size, strength, and agility. On the AAU circuit with Iowa United in the Adidas 3SSB, Diane has been dominant this summer, averaging 16.8 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game while shooting an incredible 80.3% from the field.
A Rising Star With Global Experience
Originally from Guinea, Diane already boasts international experience, having starred for the Guinean U17 National Team at the FIBA World Cup last summer. He averaged a staggering 19.1 points, 11.7 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 2.7 blocks per game, showcasing his ability to anchor both ends of the floor.
Who’s Recruiting Arafan Diane?
Diane has quickly become a priority target for some of the biggest names in college basketball. According to 247Sports, he holds offers from over 20 schools, including:
- Arizona, Arkansas, BYU, Creighton, Florida, Houston, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Miami, Oregon, Purdue, UCF, UConn, Utah State, VCU, Virginia, West Virginia
On3 currently lists Louisville as having the best odds at 11.3%, but Diane’s recruitment remains wide open, with no clear favorite as of now.
Last week’s live evaluation period brought out some of college basketball’s top coaches to watch Diane compete. On one sideline, observers included John Calipari (Arkansas), Kelvin Sampson (Houston), Darian DeVries (Indiana), Brad Underwood (Illinois), Tom Izzo (Michigan State), and others, all impressed by his ability to dominate the paint while flashing potential as a perimeter threat.
A Modern Big Man
What sets Diane apart is not just his imposing frame and soft touch around the rim, but also his willingness to stretch the floor and his surprising agility at his size. While his three-point shot is still developing, his work ethic and motor have scouts projecting plenty of upside in his offensive versatility.
Diane’s skillset fits perfectly into today’s game, and programs like Illinois—fresh off success with Morez Johnson Jr.—are eager to add another high-motor big to their rotations.
What’s Next?
With his list of suitors growing by the week and live periods underway, Diane’s recruitment will continue to be one of the most closely watched storylines in the 2026 class. While no definitive frontrunner has emerged, expect schools like Louisville, Kansas, Indiana, Illinois, and Arkansas to stay heavily involved as Diane weighs his options.
Player Profile: Arafan Diane
- Class: 2026
- Height/Weight: 7’1″, 260 lbs
- Position: Center
- Hometown: Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- High School: Iowa United Prep (IA)
- National Rank: No. 15 overall (247Sports)
- Position Rank: No. 1 center (247Sports)
- Notable Offers: Arizona, Arkansas, Houston, Indiana, Kansas, Louisville, Illinois, UConn, Purdue, Miami
