It’s official. Gorgui Sy Dieng has hung up his sneakers. The Senegalese has made his decision official. This after 10 years on the NBA floors. The player, however, trained this summer of 2023 while awaiting a veteran contract offer. But none made it to the table. However, there is no time to be idle. Brian Wright, the General Manager of San Antonio, gave him a role in the Spurs staff. The former Senegal captain occupies the role of “basketball operations representative”. Among other missions, he will be responsible for bridging the gap between the professional team, the staff and also the management.
In an interview with San Antonio Express News, Gorgui Sy Dieng admits that his new life is full of challenges. “ I learn a lot of things. We understand better what the NBA is as a business. When we play, we do what needs to be done on the pitch. Watching the behind-the-scenes preparation helps me understand why the franchise has been so good for so long “, he emphasizes. “ I am very free in what I do. I’m in the front office, learning and doing things. And when the players start training, I come here and help the team. I’m here just to be around them and help them ».
Helping the nugget Victor Wembanyama
However, that’s not all. Gorgui Sy Dieng will also have the mission of looking after a man in particular, when he is requested by Greg Popovich: Victor Wembanyama. The latter also has good words for the Senegalese. “He’s really invested in his new role,” note « Wemby ». “He talks to us, of course, about basketball. He has this experience. Off the field, he sometimes talks to us about the details of rules, contracts or other things. He’s really dedicated.”
In addition, Gorgui Sy Dieng is very appreciated by coach Popovich. The latter is happy to count on him. “He’s a wonderful human being. He’s one of everyone’s favorite teammates. He’s a great source of experience in the league, and everyone can talk to him.” Gorgui can thus help the new generation in the NBA. Just like Boniface Ndong, who helped a certain Nikola Jokic to reign over the League with the title in 2022-2023.
Concerning Senegal, the retirement of Gorgui Sy Dieng is a big loss for the selection of which he was the leader for a decade. He will therefore have stopped without having allowed his country to reconquer the men’s Afrobasket (last title in 1997). But his new experience on the Spurs board will undoubtedly benefit Senegalese basketball since he has been the 1st vice-president of the Senegalese Basketball Federation since the last elective general assembly.
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2023-12-10 18:43:22
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