To get started in the professional world, Ousmane Dieng (2.05 m, 18 years old) has chosen to emigrate to New Zealand to play for the New Zealand Breakers in the Australian championship. There, he will benefit from the Next Star Program and also be coached by a former EuroLeague coach, the Israeli Dan Shamir. Asked by journalist Liam Santamaria, the former assistant coach of Maccabi Tel Aviv and CSKA Moscow confides “never having seen anything like that” when asked to describe the potential of the young Frenchman. A player he imagines as an NBA franchise player later.
“I can’t guarantee anything. The only comparisons (with current players) possible are very big names. He has a few years to get to this level because he has grown so fast. I don’t want to be quoted in two months’ time. saying, ‘OK this guy can’t be a franchise player’ after a bad game, because he needs to develop physically. That’s what everyone sees. But what he can do with the ball, its length, its passing, its vision, how it is fluid … it’s amazing! I think it’s a monster when I see the ‘basketball package’, I don’t know if that ‘ I’m going to take advantage of that, because he’s going to be jostled in this physical league with his current physique, but when he gets over that he will be an incredible player. “
Dan Shamir coach of the NZ Breakers on his Next Star Ousmane Dieng back in October
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything like that…huge wingspan and the talent level is just incredible. I’m thinking a franchise player in the NBA” here’s the full Quote @Raptors pic.twitter.com/xKyL8NMAGN
— Reardon (@Reardomn) November 23, 2021
Ousmane Dieng has already stood out by scoring 18 points and taking 9 rebounds against Melbourne Phoenix in the preseason.
