Top Men's Basketball Center in class of 2026 recruiting sets commitment date

Class of 2026 center Arafan Diane will announce his college decision on Nov. 19th, the final day before the early signing day in 2025.

Diane's top finalist include: Indiana, Kentucky, Arkansas, Virginia and Houston as reported by Sam Kayser of Kayser Hoops

The 7 foot 1 inch center is originally from West Africa, Diane. Diane showed off his skills internationally with Guinea's U17 Team during the FIBA World Cup. Diane had his breakout moments by averaging 19.1 points and 11.7 rebounds per game while shooting an impressive 55% from the field.

Diane also played in Canada before landing in Des Moines with Iowa United Prep last season. The 7-foot-1, 260-pound center is a dominant big man in the 2026 cycle that is a consensus four-star recruit.

According to 247Sports, Diane is the nation's No. 23 player, the No. 1 center and the No. 1 player from Iowa in the 2026 class. On3 ranks Diane as the 22nd-ranked player nationally and as the No. 2 center in 2026. Rivals rates Diane as the No. 54 player in the country, while ESPN regards him as the No. 12 center in 2026.

Diane recently took an official visit to Indiana this past weekend and scheduled to visit Houston on tommrrow (10/31).

Indiana is also looking to land Vaughn Karvala. Karvala is the No. 42 player in the class of 2026 according to the 247Sports Composite rankings according to Travis Branham of 247Sports.

Originally from Oregon, Wisconsin, Karvala now plays at Bella Vista Prep in Scottsdale, Arizona. He played for Team Herro on the Nike Elite Youth Basketball League (EYBL) circuit.

Karvala is also considering Xavier and Cal, for which he has scheduled a visit this month.

If the Hoosers could land a pledge from Diane, that's the type of transformative talent that could jumpstart the compass toward a championship future under first-year head coach Darian DeVries. DeVries and Indiana currently have one pledge from the 2026 class which is led by Maryland native ad four-star wing Prince Alexander-Moody.

For more on Arafan Diane check out Pro Insights video below: