West Virginia landed a major recruiting victory when four-star center Aliou Dioum pledged to the Mountaineers’ 2026 class. Coach Ross Hodge, in his first season leading WVU, convinced the 6-foot-10 standout from Bella Vista Prep (Ariz.) to commit despite heavy competition.
Dioum’s recruitment included serious consideration from Mississippi State and Wake Forest, while Illinois, UNLV, and Syracuse also extended offers. His decision reflects the trust and vision Hodge has established early in Morgantown. Securing Dioum over programs such as Syracuse and Illinois underscores the momentum WVU’s staff is building under Hodge’s leadership.
West Virginia Wins Recruiting Battle for Four-Star Center Aliou Dioum
West Virginia secured a significant addition to its 2026 recruiting class when Dioum, a 6-foot-10 center from Bella Vista Prep in Arizona, announced his commitment. Originally from Senegal, Dioum is ranked No. 80 nationally in the Rivals Top-150 Player Rankings and sits at No. 11 among centers in his class. His pledge makes him the first player to commit to the Mountaineers in the 2026 cycle.
In an interview with Rivals, Dioum explained why West Virginia was the right choice for him.
“I chose West Virginia because they showed me a plan to be successful from Day 1. I believe in Coach Hodge and the entire staff to develop me and help me become the best person and player I can be,” he said.
NEWS: 4⭐️ Aliou Dioum has committed to West Virginia, he told @Rivals.
The 6-10 center is the No. 80 overall recruit in the 2026 class. https://t.co/30TZ5kqghZ pic.twitter.com/hsHnT0CuPv
— Joe Tipton (@TiptonEdits) September 21, 2025
His trust in the staff grew throughout the recruiting process.
“Coach Hodge and the staff recruited me hard. They believe I can come in from Day 1 and impact winning. Coach Hodge is a defensive minded coach and he believes I can come in and defend from Day 1. West Virginia showed me a plan during the process and I trust they will help develop me and get better daily,” Dioum added.
The Mountaineers’ new staff emphasized his defensive ability, a trait Dioum takes pride in.
“I am a defensive minded big. I love to protect the rim, play hard, and win. I’m a versatile big that loves to compete,” he said. His commitment reflects both his confidence in his own skill set and his alignment with the identity Coach Ross Hodge is establishing in Morgantown.
For fans eager to see him in the program, Dioum delivered a clear message:
“To the West Virginia fans, you will get a player that plays hard and wants to win. West Virginia fans can expect me to give it my all from day 1.”
Dioum chose WVU after making a fall visit to campus, where the coaching staff laid out a clear path for him in their system. With West Virginia’s frontcourt expected to lose depth after this season, the opportunity for early playing time was another factor in his decision.
