With the women's basketball's recent victory sending the Sun Devils home to Tempe for the Sweet Sixteen round of the NCAA women's national tournament, everyone's mind is on basketball.
And in Tempe, when you think of basketball, you can't help but think of Ike Diogu -- the 21-year-old superstar forward for the men's basketball team. The pressing question of the moment is whether Diogu will return to school for his senior season or enter the NBA draft where a lucrative contract awaits.
Diogu has every reason to jump to the NBA. He is projected as a first or second round pick.
"Diogu possesses maybe the most refined post-up game in college basketball," said professional evaluator Nick Prevenas on Diogu's profile at NBAdraft.net. Prevenas added that Diogu has "terrific hands" that allow him to handle almost any pass and that his "fantastic body control" lets him maneuver in the paint where it is nearly "impossible to push him off his spot."
In addition to his solid physique, Diogu is also a solid person. He is the most recognizable figure on the ASU campus and seems to wear a permanent smile.
"I've dealt with great people here who weren't the best athletes, and great athletes who might not have been the best people," said Doug Tammaro, ASU's assistant sports information director, in an interview with Phoenix New Times. "But no one has been better with the whole package than Ike. There's no one like him."
Most agree that the young man from Garland, Texas, has a promising future in professional basketball and has no reason to stay in school for another mundane season. Already ASU men's basketball has lost Steve Moore (its second leading scorer) to graduation, as well as four-year starter Jason Braxton.
Diogu has done everything he can do at the collegiate level, most say.
He stormed Tempe and the rest of the basketball world in 2002, and was only one of two freshmen to receive votes for The Associated Press All-American team. In 2003, Diogu became the first player in ASU history to be named an AP Preseason All-American and he twice has been named an AP Honorable Mention postseason selection.
The 2005 season Pac-10 conference leader in points (22 or more a game), rebounds, blocked shots, minutes played and free throws attempted and made; Diogu garnered the conference's Player of the Year award for 2005.
Despite his personal accolades that include scoring double figures in each of the 91 games he's played with ASU, Diogu was unable to lead his team into the NCAA tournament for the second consecutive season.
After three consecutive losses to end regular-season play (including a heartbreaking loss to intrastate rival UA) the Sun Devils made an early exit in the National Invitation Tournament, losing to Nevada-Las Vegas.
The close-but-not-good-enough season Diogu and his teammates recently concluded only gives more reason for Diogu to declare himself eligible for the NBA draft. Due to the low attendance at Wells Fargo Arena, an NBA jersey seems better suited to Diogu and his skills.
Diogu knows he deserves better than the empty seats and apathetic fans at ASU. "We know we have more doubters out there than fans, and we know people are lining up against Coach [Evans]," Diogu told Phoenix New Times.
Diogu has never had a shining victory as a Sun Devil, a troubling factor. Sure, he led his team to two wins against perennial Pac-10 powerhouse Stanford this year, but Diogu never really won a game that mattered. He never beat UA.
Also, Diogu has yet to graduate. "It would be the greatest paradox for Ike not to earn his degree, especially in our household," said his father, Edward Diogu, in the same article.
Much like Matt Leinart -- the University of Southern California quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner -- Diogu has almost every reason to become a professional.
But for those of us who love to watch Diogu play in maroon and gold, and for those who want to see Diogu with a college degree, we can only hope that, like Leinart, Diogu says yes to one more year.
And if he does come back, maybe, just maybe, a packed Wells Fargo Arena will get to see his greatest moment ever.
What do you say, Ike? One more year?
Ty Thompson is a journalism sophomore. He needs tickets to the women's game and hopes they go all the way. Reach him at Tyler.W.Thompson@asu.edu.
