Moussa Diabate of the Charlotte Hornets prepares for a free throw during the first half of a basketball game against the Milwaukee Bucks at Spectrum Center on November 12, 2025 in Charlotte, North Carolina. David Jensen Getty Images
Ryan Kalkbrenner had no clue of its existence and had to witness it for himself.
“I did not see that,” the Charlotte Hornets’ rookie center said. “I need to find that.”
Unaware of one of the latest pieces of merchandise featuring a teammate, Kalkbrenner is , eager to get a look. A digital picture is presented to Kalkbrenner, showing coach Charles Lee wearing a teal-colored shirt bearing the phrase “Moose on the Loose” featuring center Moussa Diabaté.
Instantly, Kalkbrenner was hooked on the attire.
“I want one,” he said.
Diabaté smiled broadly when the subject of Lee sporting his image on team-sanctioned apparel was brought up, reflecting on his journey. He doesn’t take it for granted.
Not one bit.
Charlotte Hornets coach Charles Lee wears a shirt highlighting Moussa Diabate. Roderick Boone roboone@charlotteobserver.com
“It’s great,” Diabaté said. “I’ve come far now. So, it’s just funny how quickly things can turn around, in the span of, what, a year and a half? I go from a two-way, not even thinking that I was going to play, thinking I’m being a G League the whole year.
“Literally just damn near got cut by the (LA) Clippers to now having a shirt (worn) by one of the NBA head coaches. So, it’s a great feeling. It’s a blessing, and I’m just happy to be able to keep it going.”
Among the Hornets’ hardest workers, Diabaté is excelling in his role as Charlotte’s main reserve center, continuing his pattern of steadily improving. The 6-foot-11, 210-pounder has established himself in a pecking order that includes Kalkbrenner and veteran Mason Plumlee, carving out a place with his relentless energy that becomes infectious with each bat of the ball like he’s playing ping-pong, often leading to extra possessions.
With five double-doubles under his belt this season — he’s only had 11 total in his three-plus seasons in the NBA — Diabaté is proving he can get it done in a variety of areas and taking advantage of his chance, averaging career bests in points (10.3) and rebounds (7.9) through 19 games after tossing in eight points and collecting 12 rebounds in Wednesday night’s loss to Indiana.
The 23-year-old Frenchman’s effectiveness is spread in a variety of ways.
“Offensively, he’s grown (from) being more than just an offensive rebounder,” Lee said. “I think that his screening has gotten a lot better, understanding coverage solutions versus switching, versus center field. I also think that his adjustment off penetration — like working the dunker area — has gotten really good. He’s got good hands down there, so guys feel comfortable with some dump offs.
“And then in the seams. Whenever they are in pick-and-rolls and they kind of hit him as he’s half-rolling, he’s doing a good job either with his floater and he’s got some really good Euro-step finishes. And so I think that we are seeing the evolution of Moussa offensively.”
Diabaté also leads the Hornets in shots made while getting fouled (seven) and already recorded three games with at least three blocks, nearly matching the four times he did it in 2024-25.
He’s geeked to be producing at his current rate.
“I’m very excited,” Diabate said. “I think I’m getting a great opportunity and I’m able to showcase more. I think I’m a lot more confident in my game and what I’ve been working on. And, yeah, I feel like it’s been paying off a little bit. So, just got to keep it going.”
The Charlotte Observer spoke with Diabaté about his early-season success, going up against taller players at his position, his hope for a long-term contract and more:
Jay Huff of the Indiana Pacers and Moussa Diabate of the Charlotte Hornets compete for a rebound in the first quarter at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on November 19, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Dylan Buell Getty Images
Roderick Boone: What have you been working on specifically to get better?
Moussa Diabaté: My finishes around the rim. Pretty much just everything. Obviously, (trying to) become good at what I do already, but as well, just my reads on the pick-and-roll. My rebounding as well as my free throws. I mean, just everything really.
RB: Can you explain just how you are so relentless on the glass? What do the guys tell you about your rebounding activity?
MD: I think it really just comes down to just me wanting to win and just do any little things that can help the team. I think that’s really what it comes down to. It’s not anything specific that I specifically want to do. It’s just more so, like, ‘All right. Somebody got to do it and I think I can do it.’
RB: Being undersized as a center, how does that also motivate you when you go against the bigger guys like a Nikola Jokić?
MD: I don’t think I see more so as, ‘Oh, yeah, who’s bigger or smaller?’ I think it’s more so, ‘All right, I want to play. I don’t care who it is. It don’t matter if it was Shaq or whoever. It would just still be the same mentality at the end of the day. I just want to play. I just want to see what he’s about, so I’m going to go for it.
RB: Can you explain that? How’d the mentality come about?
MD: I think really that’s just how I play the game. I think that’s just how I’ve always been. I think it’s always been this kind of chip on my shoulders. That’s always how I felt. And yeah, from that point on, it’s always been like I want to play. I want to play against the better players, the greats, and I want to be able to measure myself. I think at the end of the day, it’s all about self-improvement. So, me being able to play them guys, I can kind of see where I’m at with my game and trying to get better at that.
RB: With the center rotation, how have Ryan and Mason helped you do what you are doing currently?
MD: Great. I mean, they’re very helpful. I think I’m able to learn from both really. Mase, obviously is a vet and I’ve already known him before from the Clippers, so we already have that connection, that relationship. Ryan, just him being who he is, I think a very good kid. We are obviously like the same age, but it’s very interesting because for a rookie he’s very mature. He just has an understanding of the game and very good reads on defense that is very good to learn. And even on offense, him being able to keep the ball up at all times. Just little things like that, that you don’t see a lot from like young guys. So, it’s just great to see now.
RB: How do you keep it going? How do you keep that chip on your shoulder to make sure that you can get your next contract and stay in the league as long as you can?
MD: Basically stay grounded. I think that’s really what it comes down to. I’ve put in a lot of work and I trust my work. I’ve done a lot. I’ve made a lot of sacrifices in my life. So, you know, at the end of the day, I think that’s really what it comes down to.