If anyone wants to say Dennis Gates has a lot in common with Eli Drinkwitz, I don’t think you’d be wrong in making that connection. He’s engaging and a tenacious recruiter. Oh, and he also has his own version of the Bat signal.

This morning, less than 3 days after being announced as the new head coach at Missouri, Gates landed his first commitment. This time it was a 6’10” forward from Garden City Community College in Kansas, Mohamed Diarra.

Diarra doesn’t have a recruiting ranking, as the JUCO ranks rarely get an accurate assessment, but this is a big important get for Gates. Diarra is big, mobile, at a position of need, and in the running for JUCO National Player of the Year. He also has three years of eligibility remaining, which is welcome news. We’ll have more on Diarra in the coming days, but for now, Welcome, Mohamed! And M-I-Z!

Let’s Meet Mohamed Diarra

• From: Garden City CC, Garden City, Kansas
• Position: Post
• Ht/Wt: 6’10 / 215
• Rivals Ranking: N/A
• 247Composite Ranking: N/A
• Total announced offers: 4
• Offers to note: Mississippi State, Iona, Fresno State

What they’re saying:

247Sports.com’s Dushawn London went to Garden City back in December to talk to Diarra and his coach, and at the time West Virigina, Maryland, Marquette, NC State, Ole Miss, Texas A&M, Oregon, and Wyoming had all been in to see the big man. Here’s the article with some quotes from his coach: Garden City C.C big man Mohamed Diarra gaining national attention.