Halil “Chabi” Barre committed to Akron, the team announced Friday.
Barre, a 6-foot-9 junior forward, played the past three seasons at Duquesne.
The native of Natitingou, Benin, whose full name is Abdou Halil “Chabi” Barre, averaged 4.1 points and 3.5 rebounds in 11.5 minutes per game this past season. He started 11 games and shot 73% from the field.
Barre has two years of eligibility remaining.
“We are excited to add Chabi to our program,” Akron coach John Groce said in a statement. “With his size and athleticism, Chabi will impact both ends of the floor for us next season.”
Smith headed to Mercer
D.J. Smith, who played in all 35 games for Robert Morris last season, committed to Mercer on Friday, according to The Athletic.
NEWS: D.J. Smith will transfer to Mercer, he tells @TheAthleticCBB
He averaged 9.1 points, 2.3 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game at Robert Morris pic.twitter.com/afgs1M9h7x
— Tobias Bass (@tobias_bass) April 25, 2025
A 6-foot junior guard, Smith is joining his fourth team in five seasons after spending two at Little Rock and one at Bowling Green.
He started 32 games for the Colonials this past season, averaging 9.1 points and 2.3 rebounds with 112 assists (second on the team).
Diakhate signs with Pitt women
Forward transfer Fatima Diakhate became the Pitt women’s basketball team’s first signing this offseason Friday.
A Dakar, Senegal, native, Diakhate (6-5) averaged 5.3 points and 5.0 rebounds at Georgia last season. She started 28 of 29 games played and shot 46.7% from the field. She also had a team-high 21 blocks.
“She will be able to help us immediately with her combination of size and athleticism on both sides of the ball,” Pitt coach Tory Verdi said in a statement. “We look forward to getting her on campus and helping her continue to develop.”
Diakhate, who played in 57 career games at Georgia, has two years of eligibility remaining.