Minnesota Timberwolves: 3 reasons Keita Bates-Diop was a good pick

2. Leadership

In four years at college, you certainly learn a thing or two. In Bates-Diop’s case, he learned a lot. In four years, he’s certainly played with a few good players such as D’Angelo Russell and Marc Loving.

He also had the experience of learning under Thad Matta. One of the better coaches you’ll see in college basketball. Matta sure taught him a lot, but obviously he wasn’t the team’s coach in Bates-Diop’s last season with the Buckeyes.

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That just goes to show that even with a new coach and a less talented team, he was still able to find ways to win games. The Buckeyes haven’t had much success recently and all of the sudden they come out of nowhere and get into the Top-25 and make the NCAA Tournament.

Obviously he was their best player and the focal point of what the Buckeyes did. They only went as far as he could take them. Going through that made him a better player because he had to face the adversity.

A lot of people picked an upset between Ohio State and South Dakota State in the NCAA Tournament. That game is a perfect example of his leadership and talent. Bates-Diop scored 24 points and had 12 rebounds. It was a hard-fought game between the two, but it was Ohio State who came out on top.

Keita Bates-Diop learned a lot in his four years and one those things was how to be a leader and help his team win. That can help a young Wolves team looking to build on its first postseason appearance in 13 years.