This Saturday, June 28, Lot-et-Garonnais was in Villeneuve-sur-Lot, where he returned to his NBA title.
Ousmane Dieng returned Thursday to France. As of this Saturday, he was in Villeneuve-sur-Lot, for a press conference, then a signing session. For more than an hour, the 22 -year -old Villeneuvois showed all his availability and kindness. Interview.
Read also:
Euro Basketball: the French team without Victor Wembanyama or Evan Fournier, but with Ousmane Dieng and Mathias Lessort
After the final won with Oklahoma City (4-3 against Indiana), you said that you did not realize yet … is that there now?
Yes, I make a little better, especially from the parade. It was really incredible to celebrate with all fans, the whole city. I really realized at that time. I’m starting to go down, and really see what happened. It quickly got along, so I’m a little come down, but it’s always incredible, and I’m always proud of what we have done. I tell myself that it is the dream of any basketball player. Everyone has already imagined raising this trophy. It’s really incredible to have been able to achieve this so young. But I hope there will be others! I think everyone thinks it very loudly. I hope it will be done and that we are going to go far all together.
Read also:
“It’s indescribable”: Ousmane Dieng’s father tells the backstage of the NBA title of Oklahoma City Thunder
Was there a moment in the season when you told yourself that it would be the happy new year?
I think we have always believed it, even last year, after the season we made. With the contributions of Alex Caruso and Isaiah Hartenstein this season, we thought we had the opportunity to go and get the title. We attacked one match after another. We focused on the upcoming match every day, but everyone said it was possible.
Read also:
NBA: Ousmane Dieng, the 7th French crowned champion, after the success of Oklahoma City Thunder in the final against Indiana
Is this title almost logical in view of your season?
I don’t know, because Indiana is a very good team too. We saw the play-offs they made. Against us, it took seven games, so that means it was not that easy. I don’t think it was logical, but I think we deserved it. We did everything to have it, so we are rewarded.
Read also:
“A child in the country has reached the World Basketball Summit”: Ousmane Dieng, NBA and pride champion of Villeneuve-sur-Lot
“The public helped us a lot”
What is the difference between a regular season meeting and a final?
I think it’s much more intensive. We see that each error can be paid. So you have to really focus on 48 minutes. But if not, I think, that afterwards, it remains basketball, a normal match. This is what we did. You had to win all the possessions to be able to win a match.
Read also:
VIDEO. “I just think that we are not good …” Why Ousmane Dieng, sacred in the NBA, talks about “one of the worst celebrations in the whole history”
Was there a moment in this final series where you doubted?
I don’t think we doubted it. Of course, the match 1 lost at home hurt a little, but I think we bounced. We were already in this situation against Denver. I think we knew how to bounce back, and we did it.
Read also:
Basketball: The college where Ousmane Dieng has studied continues to shine with his new generation of players
Did the injury for the best player in Indiana, Tyrese Haliburton, during match 7 of the final, impacted you positively?
No, I think we stayed focused on our match. We tried not to pay too much attention to what happened. Even if unfortunately, he was injured. We don’t like to see this. Every basketball player hates to see an injury like this. I think we just stayed in our match and what we had to do. Then, getting home, especially for match 7, and playing in front of an audience who, I think, is NBA’s best audience, that helped us a lot.
Read also:
NBA: “It’s a dream that becomes reality …” Ousmane Dieng’s first reaction after the title of Oklahoma City Thunder
What has made the difference this season?
I think there is the MVP (Editor’s note: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander) on the one hand, and especially the collective. We are a young team. As I said before, we focus on the upcoming match. We are not trying to see further. This is what we have done for three seasons, and it worked pretty well.
“The G-League has helped me a lot”
You join, among others Boris Diaw, Tony Parker, Rony Turiaf, also champions … Do you think you are at their level?
After the title, I had my friend Bilal Coulibaly. Alexis Ajinça congratulated me. Axel Toupane said to me welcome to the club of those who won an NBA title … It’s nice to be mentioned with these big names. But as I said before, I hope it will not be the last. I hope this will continue.
How do you judge your development this year?
I felt good. I had a good start to the season. Unfortunately, I had injuries in bad timings, which slowed me down a bit. But if not, I think I am a better player now at the start of the season. My margin of progression? I think I continue to work on everything. No one is perfect. Of course, we have a very talented team. So it’s hard to go get minutes, but I just have to continue working on a little to be able to do it.
Do you feel like you have a new status in the team?
I think the G-League has helped me a lot, especially with the finals. It brought me a lot of confidence. It also allowed me to have a lot of repetitions with the ball, without the ball. I am proud to have done this. It is one more title. It was good, because it was at the rate of NBA matches. The first year was something new to play 82 games. But there, I think I am used to it and it is better. This season, we played 100 games with the play-offs!
Wasn’t you afraid to join this team with little playing time?
No, I don’t think. When I got there, nobody expected what we earn so fast. I think it was something that was done so quickly that even nobody had seen him coming. I tried to scratch minutes where I could. I always try to help the team each time that I am put on the field. This is what I have tried to do for three years. We are all the same age practically. It’s easy to integrate, everyone gets along well. It’s like a family. This is what allowed us to win this title.
“We are better in Villeneuve!”
What did you feel when you have your father by your side during the final?
It’s a plus. Becoming a NBA champion is the dream of any basketball player. It was his dream too. To be able to share it with him, it was really incredible. Afterwards, I planned to return to Villeneuve in all cases after the end of the season. I am therefore happy that she ended with a title, and that I can share it here with the club.
Can you tell us about the festivities?
The parade was quite incredible. We got off the bus, we were with the fans, with the whole city. Frankly, I think it was one of the best moments in my career. I really enjoyed.
Will you still be in Oklahoma next year?
Normally, yes. I have a year left. I do not hope to leave. I feel good there. We will see what’s going on. It is not the largest city in the United States… There is not much to do (laughs). But frankly, that’s good. I don’t mind too much, because I don’t go out much. I focus on basketball, and that’s it. When I go to the supermarket, I am recognized sometimes. But we are better in Villeneuve (laughs)!
What is the continuation of your program?
A little rest here with my family. Afterwards, I’m going to go back to training in the United States. There is the French team that arrives on July 25. I’m ready for that. I was aware of my selection before the title. Boris Diaw had called me. There is the euro arriving this summer. I hope to be part of the team, and be taken for this Euro (Editor’s note: it is in the extended list of 18 players, the final list will be reduced to twelve elements).
