The Cavaliers signed Diop to a four-year, $9.26 million contract, bringing him back to the NBA.

September 6th - According to HoopsHype reporter Michael Scotto , the Cleveland Cavaliers have reached a four-year, $ 9.26 million contract with center Khalifa Diop .

Diop, standing 6 feet 11 inches (approximately 2.11 meters) and weighing 231 pounds (approximately 105 kilograms), was selected by the Cavaliers with the 39th overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft . For the past three seasons, he has played for Basconia in Spain, competing in the Spanish ACB League and the EuroLeague.

In the 2025-26 season, 24- year-old Diop played 47 games for Basconia, starting 38 of them. He averaged 16.4 minutes per game, scoring 3.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 0.7 blocks, with a field goal percentage of 67.0% . He helped the team win the 2026 Copa del Rey, Basconia's first title in 17 years. He had previously won the 2023 EuroBasket with the team .

Diop was born in Senegal and represented the national youth team at the 2019 and 2021 FIBA U19 Men's Basketball World Cups. During the 2021-22 season playing for Gran Canaria in Spain, he won the EuroBasket Rookie of the Year award, given to the best player under 22 years old in the tournament .

In addition, Diop won the 2023 NBA Summer League championship with the Cavaliers . Upon returning to Cleveland, he will wear jersey number 18 .

Image source: Internet