6 | The View
Hussein Diop went from anchoring the defense for Bellevue University’s man’s basketball squad to playing a key role for LinkedIn, one of the largest social networks for business professionals.
At the Center: Diop is Linchpin at LinkedIn Hussein Diop was the anchor of the Bellevue University defense when he played center for the men’s basketball squad in 20082012. At 6-feet, 10-inches, he’s now the tallest link in the chain at LinkedIn, one of the world’s largest social networks for business professionals. Diop brings the lessons that he learned on and off the court at Bellevue University to his new role. As a Small Business Account Manager, Diop sells and supports LinkedIn Talent Solutions, a product that supplies users with recruiting tools aimed at helping them improve their talent acquisition process. Diop handles a book of about 400 clients, introducing them to the product and assisting with its functionality. “My job is to help them with everything and anything – getting them started, helping them maximize its potential, and offering different strategies,” Diop said. “We want to make sure that they are getting as much out of the product as possible.”
Maximizing His Potential Maximizing potential is a particular area of expertise for Diop. He has been doing that ever since he walked into the men’s basketball office as a project with very little basketball experience. But he worked to polish his game.
As a freshman in the 2008-09 season, he averaged 2.2 points per game along with 2.0 rebounds. Maybe most importantly, he contributed 35 blocked shots over 23 games. He appeared in all 32 games as a sophomore upping his averages to 6.6 points, 5.4 rebounds with 67 blocked shots. His game continued to evolve, capped by a senior campaign in which he averaged 9.0 points per game, 8.1 rebounds and blocked 81 shots. The Bruins enjoyed a great deal of success during Diop’s time with the program, including a trip to the NAIA Final Four in 2019. Diop credits Paben’s tough practices with helping him sharpen his focus and hone his time management skills. Assistant coaches Bob Ludwig, Jason Isaacson, and Jack Nelson were also invaluable mentors for Diop, he said. “Between practice, class, games, and travel, you have to be able to manage your time very well,” Diop said. “It also helped with handling pressure. You’re trying to get that win as the clock winds down toward the end of the game. You have to be very mentally sharp,” Diop said. “I don't get ruffled by pressure. Every time it comes in I'm calm and I can think through it. I think that comes from my basketball background.” In addition to support from his coaches, Diop enjoyed a supportive and engaged faculty during his time at Bellevue
