Ousmane Dieng is a rookie for the Oklahoma City Thunder that will get misplaced in the hype of the younger squad.
He was considered one of the three lottery draft picks that the Thunder made in the 2022 NBA Draft.
Watching Dieng play, it’s laborious to note that he has a guard ability set at 6-foot-10, which inserts the modern-day NBA. In their most up-to-date preseason recreation, Dieng scored 18 factors on 8-for-12 capturing and 2-for-4 on 3-pointers. He put collectively a strong, environment friendly recreation, exhibiting a glimpse of what he could possibly present in the future.
The 6-foot-10 ahead is solely 19-years-old, which supplies him greater than sufficient time to develop. Also to his benefit, he will get to play with a younger and evolving group, which is able to assist him take steps ahead and be taught with as many reps as attainable.
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As of proper now, Dieng is a two-way playmaker who’s obtained a excessive ground on either side of the ball. He might simply change into a strong defender due to his body and IQ, and by chance he’s taking part in alongside considered one of the finest defenders in the league in Lu Dort.
On the offensive aspect of the ball, Dieng has the ability set of a guard, however with his body, he can play an even bigger position in the pick-and-roll, which can be a risk if he can play-make as a curler.
His ceiling is amongst the highest in the draft if every little thing goes accordingly, and that features his potential to enhance his leap shot. He’s obtained a strong base in his shot, and with just a few tweaks he might discover himself as a strong shooter on this league.
In Darius Bazley’s make or break 12 months, Dieng could also be a prospect to take a few of his minutes as he can play larger if he must, and the offense would proceed to circulate, as Dieng is much less of a ball-stopper in comparison with Bazley.
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story by The Texas Tribune Source link