SANTA CRUZ >> The Santa Cruz Warriors planned to have a new face on their bench when they took on Grand Rapids Gold in the teams’ NBA G League game at Kaiser Permanente Arena on Saturday night.

The Warriors acquired Cheikh Mbacke Diong, a 6-foot-11, 235-pound forward/center who hails from Dakar, Senegal, from the available player pool. Diong will wear jersey No. 38.

Diong was waived by the Cleveland Charge from their 2024 training camp roster before being acquired from the available player pool by the Westchester Knicks on Nov. 19. He logged 14 points, 20 rebounds, four assists, and two blocks in six Tip-Off Tournament and regular season games for Westchester before being placed on waivers by the Knicks on Jan. 1.

The 25-year-old had a five-year collegiate career that started at UNLV (2017-21) and ended at the University of Central Florida (2021-22). He held career averages of 6.5 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks per game through 146 appearances, 106 of which were starts.

Diong played overseas in Hungary, Montenegro, and France from 2022-24. Most recently, he appeared in 14 games (seven starts) for BC Orchies in the French NM1 league, and averaged 6.0 points and 4.9 rebounds in 18.2 minutes per game while shooting 53.2% from the floor.

Diong, who has five siblings, came to the U.S. in 2016 and prepped at Florida Prep Academy in Melbourne.

Santa Cruz (8-5) is tied for third place in the Western Conference with the Mexico City Capitanes (8-5) and Valley Suns (10-7), 3.5 games behind leader Stockton (13-3) and a half game behind Austin (9-5).

The Warriors travel to South Dakota to take on the Sioux Falls Skyforce on Tuesday, but return to Santa Cruz to kick off a 10-game homestand beginning Friday.