Last 12 months, Oklahoma City selected Australian playmaker Josh Giddey with the No. 6 decide within the 2021 NBA Draft. Prior to declaring for the draft, Giddey performed within the National Basketball League, or NBL – Australia’s model of the NBA. Holding the No. 11 decide in 2022, the Thunder opted to pick out one other NBL product: French ahead Ousmane Dieng.
Glancing at Dieng’s NBL statistics received’t reveal something jaw dropping on the floor. The 6-foot-10 ahead averaged simply 8.9 factors, 3.1 rebounds, and one help in 20 minutes per recreation. Dieng didn’t shoot the ball nicely both, posting only a 39.8% from the sphere and 27.1% from deep over the course of the season.
However, Dieng began discovering momentum down the stretch and started to point out some severe potential. In his final ten video games for the Breakers, Dieng improved his taking pictures effectivity, flattening 51% of his photographs from the sphere and 36.6% of his photographs past the arc to the tune of 12.9 factors per contest. He additionally seemed extra assured and aggressive as a ball-handler and shooter, dragging defenders out to the three-point line and drilling step-back threes in addition to using his dribble to create alternatives on the rim, performs that aren’t usually seen from prospects along with his measurement.
Not solely does he flash unimaginable scoring potential on-ball, Dieng’s measurement, pace, and taking pictures upside mix to make him an intriguing off-ball participant the place he turns into an enormous goal as a cutter and shooter who has the deal with to assault shifting defenses and late closeouts. The rookie’s playmaking and passing means shouldn’t go unmentioned, both. The tape exhibits that he’s able to making good choices out of pick-and-roll actions and discovering methods to get his teammates concerned.
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Defensively, Dieng has the entire instruments to succeed on an NBA flooring. He brings good foot pace, nice measurement, and a strong understanding of defensive rules to the ahead place. The French prospect can’t solely sustain with most gamers, he can successfully shut down drives, alter jumpers, and contest makes an attempt on the rim. He does appear to be missing within the power division, however the Thunder’s coaching employees will certainly deal with that.
But the particular pathway for Dieng’s growth stays unclear to the general public. Some have questioned whether or not or not he will probably be despatched to play with the OKC Blue, the Thunder’s G League crew. In fact, nobody is aware of what the plan is outdoors of the entrance workplace. Whatever route the crew decides greatest, Dieng has the potential to be a extremely efficient and harmful two-way wing. One that may guard the most effective perimeter gamers on the opposing crew and function a floor-spacer and secondary creator to carry the offense.
When Dieng does see an NBA court docket, it can doubtless take a while to regulate to an even bigger, stronger, sooner recreation. But followers should not be shocked if he’s making an impression on protection early on the place his mixture of measurement, size and lateral quickness may give the opposition issues. In reality, Dieng’s protection might earn him vital enjoying time in his rookie season and maintain him on the court docket as a complementary wing subsequent to guards Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Josh Giddey, and fellow rookie Jalen Williams.
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story by The Texas Tribune Source link