Charlotte Hornets big man Moussa Diabaté has been ranked the 27th-best center in the NBA, a recognition that follows his 2025-26 Kia NBA Hustle Award win. The Hornets are coming off a 110-96 victory over the New York Knicks on April 12, part of a recent run of three wins in their last five games.
Diabaté's ranking is built on impact that doesn't always show up in basic stat lines. He played 73 games last season, averaging 7.9 points, 8.7 rebounds and 1.9 assists while shooting 63.1% from the field. But the real story is in the hustle. The NBA Hustle Award uses a statistical formula tracking deflections, loose balls, charges drawn, screen assists, contested shots and box outs.
Diabaté excelled in every category. He ranked fourth in screen assists per minute, freeing up Charlotte's shooters. The Hornets finished fifth in points per possession off screens because of his hard picks. He also led the league in offensive box outs per minute and finished fifth in offensive rebounds per game at 3.7. That effort helped Charlotte rank second in second-chance points.
He chased down loose balls and contested shots everywhere. Diabaté ranked eighth in loose balls recovered per minute and was top-11 in contesting both two-point and three-point shots. His versatility let him defend guards, forwards and centers, which turned Charlotte into a top-five defensive unit after he entered the starting lineup.
The Hornets' season flipped on December 23. Before that date, the team was struggling with a 9-20 record. From December 23 onward, Charlotte went 35-18. That was the sixth-best winning percentage in the NBA over that long stretch.
December 23 is the day Diabaté became a full-time starter. His insertion into the first unit alongside LaMelo Ball, Kon Knueppel, Miles Bridges and Brandon Miller provided a relentless energy that became contagious. The team's identity shifted. They played harder, secured extra possessions, and locked down on defense. That surge nearly got them into the playoffs, missing by just one game.
His performance earned a significant reward off the court, too. Diabaté's contract for the 2026-27 season is now fully guaranteed. It was previously non-guaranteed, with small triggers later in the season. The Hornets moved early to secure their hustle cornerstone.
Charlotte is banking on Diabaté's growth to help end their playoff drought. He is set to start alongside Coby White, Brandon Miller, Kon Knueppel and Naz Reid when the new season tips off. The Hornets open the 2026-27 campaign on the road against the Brooklyn Nets, with their home opener versus the Atlanta Hawks.
The team's form is building. Their recent results include a 122-108 win over Minnesota on April 5 and a 129-108 victory against Indiana on April 3. But they also had losses to Detroit and Boston in early April.
Diabaté's role is clear. He doesn't need to be a high-volume scorer. The Hornets need him to set bone-rattling screens, fight for every rebound, and be the defensive heartbeat. If he does that, his ranking among NBA centers will only climb higher. And Charlotte's win total should follow.
