TCU starting center Malick Diallo will miss the remainder of the 2025-26 season after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in the season opener against the Horned Frogs, the school announced Tuesday.
Malick Diallo to begin sophomore season at TCU
Diallo, a 6-foot-9 sophomore from Mali, West Africa, was injured while scrambling for an offensive rebound midway through the first half of the team’s 78-74 loss to New Orleans on Monday night.
He played 6.5 minutes in the game and contributed 1 rebound, 1 block and 2 turnovers.
“Malik worked extremely hard this offseason,” TCU coach Jamie Dixon said. “He has to really improve and grow as a player and leader. We are all sad to see Malik miss the remainder of the season with a torn ACL.
“He is an important part of our team, not just with his play on the field, but with his leadership, energy and work ethic. We will continue to support his recovery and look forward to him staying healthy next season.”
Last season, he played 29 games as a substitute in his freshman season, averaging 10.9 minutes per game, 2.2 points, 2.7 rebounds, shooting 49% from the field and 55.6% from the free throw line.
From Jamie Dixon… pic.twitter.com/AONp6Zy7mI
— TCU Men’s Basketball (@TCUBasketball) November 5, 2025
He played at Wasatch College in Mount Pleasant, Utah, before committing to TCU in October 2023. However, a knee injury forced him to miss his senior season with the Tigers.
With Diallo out for the Horned Frogs, the next man up could be Florida International transfer Vianney Salachum, who missed the season opener against New Orleans.
TCU coach Jamie Dixon may also have to use 6-foot-7 David Punch and/or 6-foot-8 Xavier Edmonds at center, although both are undersized.
Horned Frogs’ two-game winning streak ended
Punch had 19 points and eight rebounds for the Horned Frogs against New Orleans. Micah Robinson had 14 points and six rebounds, while Jaden Pierre and Edmunds both scored 11 points.
A home loss to a non-conference team was TCU’s first since 2022. The Frogs have won 19 straight games at home against non-conference teams.
Additionally, TCU ended its 11-game winning streak in its home opener.
According to ESPN Stats & Information, TCU was the only team in the Big 12 that didn’t make 200 3-pointers last season. Their battle continued Monday night.
The Horned Frogs shot just 3-for-27 (11 percent) from 3-point range early in the season.
TCU will host St. Francis (Pa.) on Thursday.
