BIO: Ousmane Dieng was born in France and grew up in Lot-et-Garonne, where his father, Ababacar, played basketball. As a junior, he played for Villeneuve Basket Club and JSA Bordeaux.
Dieng is considered a excellent passer and a defender with the potential to guard those multiple positions in the NBA. He told ESPN that fellow countryman Nic Batum of the LA Clippers and Toronto Raptors rookie of the year candidate Scottie Barnes are among the players whose film he watches and learns from.
Ousmane Dieng made his NBL debut with the New Zealand Breakers at 18 years of age. He scored three points in his first game.
After a season where the Breakers played 29 of 36 games in Australia, things only continued to get worse for the Breakers, with the team unable to play any home games during NBL22 and finishing dead last during the regular season.
After playing the previous season with a trio of Corey Webster, Tai Webster, and William McDowell-White at point guard, the team decided they would build around the younger of the three and move Corey to the bench. The Breakers then allowed him to exit his contract with him choosing to play in Europe instead. Not long after, as a result of the NBL requiring players to be vaccinated for COVID-19, Tai Webster chose to exit his contract as well and play overseas.
While losing the Webster brothers, the team gained the signatures of Kiwi Yanni Wetzell (via South East Melbourne) and import players Peyton Siva, Hugo Besson and Jeremiah Martin. Additionally, the team signed French prodigy Dieng under the league’s Next Star program.
The team immediately faced adversity, losing Siva and Thomas Abercrombie to injury and having to absorb a COVID outbreak on the eve of the season. The team signed Chasson Randle (7.8 points, 1.3 rebounds, and 0.9 assists) as a replacement player for Siva, and the team began the season with a 0–6 start.
Dieng also started the season off with a disappointing start to his first season in a top-level professional league. During his first nine games, Dieng struggled to score, averaging 16.7 minutes, 3.1 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 0.9 assists while shooting a abysmal 20 percent from the floor and just 13 from beyond the 3-point arc (4 from 31 attempts).
Dieng’s year with the breaks was one full of challenges which included Covid outbreaks, team shutdowns and playing a entire season on the road. While ESPN had Dieng as high as 11 on their draft board when he signed with the Breakers his early play saw the 2.06m perimeter player’s stock dip to 26 – just one place ahead of fellow Frenchman and Breakers teammate Hugo Besson.
New Zealand received a boost when Siva was able to return to the team shortly after, a move which then saw Jeremiah Martin (12.3 points, 2.6 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.2 steals) and the Breakers agree to a mutual release. The move came as a result of high-level play from Randle, who they chose to retain instead of Martin once Peyton Siva (11.8 points, 2.5 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 2 steals) returned from injury.
Although the team had planned to play their home games at the back end of the season, COVID-19 restrictions made that impossible and forced the team to base themselves in Tasmania for the majority of the season.
During the second hal of the season, Dieng started to flash his upside while getting more opportunities to initiate as a point-forward and averaging 1.01 points per possession — a increase from 0.57 points per possession in the first half of the season.
In March 2022, he strung together a number of impressive games over the course of a seven-day period where he dropped 17 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 assists against the JackJumpers, Tasmania, 17 points and 3 rebounds against Brisbane and then 13 points, 4 rebounds on Adelaide to finish the week. Dieng shrugged off his shooting woes and across the team’s final 12 games, averaged 13.3 points while shooting 48% from the field and 36% from 3-point range.
Dieng became the first European star to make the leap to Australia as part of the NBL’s Next Stars program and was rewarded with being selected by the New York Knicks in the 2022 NBA Draft a few months later.
The Breakers were led by the all-around play of Yanni Wetzell (17.7 points, 8.4 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.6 steals, and 1.1 blocks) who left the team to play in Europe once New Zealand had no chance to make the playoffs. Despite leaving the team with a month of the Breakers season still remaining Wetzell was named club MVP. Hugo Besson (13.9 points, 4 rebounds, and 2.3 assists) and Finn Delany (10 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 2 assists) would raise their games during that final month of the season but by mid-February had fallen to 4–10.
Besson would average 13.9 points, 4 rebounds, and 2.3 assists as New Zealand finished with a 5–23 record, the Breakers worst season in their 19-year history.
Ousmane Dieng played one season in the NBL. He averaged 8.8 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 1 assists in 23 NBL games.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Dan Boyce is a die-hard Sydney Kings fan who grew up in Melbourne during the roaring 90's of Australian Basketball and spent far too much time collecting Futera NBL Basketball cards.
SEASON | AGE | TEAM | TEAM RECORD | GP | MINS | PTS | REB | AST | OR | DR | STL | BLK | TO | PF | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% | HS |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2021-22 | 19 | New Zealand | 5-23 (10) | 23 | 479.1 | 204 | 72 | 23 | 11 | 61 | 14 | 7 | 32 | 34 | 80 | 201 | 40% | 26 | 96 | 27.1% | 18 | 27 | 67% | 48% | 46% | 22 | Totals | 23 | 479 | 204 | 72 | 23 | 11 | 61 | 14 | 7 | 32 | 34 | 80 | 201 | 39.8% | 26 | 96 | 27.1% | 18 | 27 | 66.7% | 48% | 46% | 22 |
SEASON | AGE | TEAM | TEAM RECORD | GP | MINS | PTS | REB | AST | OR | DR | STL | BLK | TO | PF | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% | HS |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2021-22 | 19 | New Zealand | 5-23 (10) | 23 | 20.8 | 8.9 | 3.1 | 1.0 | 0.5 | 2.7 | 0.6 | 0.3 | 1.4 | 1.5 | 3.5 | 8.7 | 40% | 1.1 | 4.2 | 27.1% | 0.8 | 1.2 | 67% | 48% | 46% | 22 | Total | 23 | 20.8 | 8.9 | 3.1 | 1.0 | 0.5 | 2.7 | 0.6 | 0.3 | 1.4 | 1.5 | 3.5 | 8.7 | 39.8% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 27.1% | 1.1 | 4.2 | 66.7% | 48% | 46% | 22 |
POINTS | REBOUNDS | ASSISTS | STEALS | BLOCKS | TURNOVERS | TRIPLE DOUBLES | 22 | 9 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 0 |
---|
Ousmane Dieng was drafted by the New York Knicks with pick #11 in the 2022 NBA Draft.
Dieng played 72 games in the NBA. He averaged 4.5 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game over his NBA career.
NBA TRANSACTIONS:
- June 23, 2022: Drafted by the New York Knicks in the 1st round (11th pick) of the 2022 NBA Draft.
- June 23, 2022: Traded by the New York Knicks to the Oklahoma City Thunder for a 2023 1st round draft pick ( was later selected), a 2023 1st round draft pick ( was later selected) and a 2023 1st round draft pick (Nick Smith Jr. was later selected). 2023 conditional 1st-rd pick was DEN own 2023 conditional 1st-rd pick was DET own, did not convey 2023 conditional 1st-rd pick was WAS own, did not convey.
- July 5, 2022: Signed a multi-year contract with the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Season | Team | PTS | AST | STL | BLK | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 0 | 63% | 56% | 64% | 72% | ||||||
2 | 0 | 22 | 5 | 3 | 2 | ||||||
Total | 80 | 201 | 39.8% | 26 | 96 | 27.1% |
YEAR | AGE | TEAM | POS | GP | GS | MINS | PTS | TRB | AST | ORB | DRB | STL | BLK | TOV | PF | FG | FGA | FG% | 3P | 3PA | 3P% | FT | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2022-23 | 19 | Oklahoma City | SF | 39 | 1 | 569 | 193 | 105 | 46 | 19 | 86 | 14 | 7 | 26 | 42 | 76 | 181 | 42% | 26 | 98 | 27% | 15 | 23 | 65% | 50% | 49% |
2022-23 | 19 | Oklahoma City | SF | 39 | 1 | 569 | 193 | 105 | 46 | 19 | 86 | 14 | 7 | 26 | 42 | 76 | 181 | 26 | 98 | 15 | 23 | 50% | 49% | |||
2023-24 | 20 | Oklahoma City | PF | 33 | 0 | 365 | 133 | 51 | 37 | 10 | 41 | 8 | 5 | 19 | 22 | 49 | 116 | 21 | 70 | 14 | 16 | 54% | 51% | Total | 72 | 1 | 934 | 326 | 156 | 83 | 29 | 127 | 22 | 12 | 45 | 64 | 125 | 297 | 42% | 47 | 168 | 28% | 29 | 39 | 74% |
YEAR | AGE | TEAM | POS | GP | GS | MINS | PTS | TRB | AST | ORB | DRB | STL | BLK | TOV | PF | FG | FGA | FG% | 3P | 3PA | 3P% | FT | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2022-23 | 19 | Oklahoma City | SF | 39 | 1 | 14.6 | 4.9 | 2.7 | 1.2 | 0.5 | 2.2 | 0.4 | 0.2 | 0.7 | 1.1 | 1.9 | 4.6 | 42% | 0.7 | 2.5 | 0.4 | 0.6 | 50% | 49% | ||
2023-24 | 20 | Oklahoma City | PF | 33 | 0 | 11.1 | 4.0 | 1.5 | 1.1 | 0.3 | 1.2 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.6 | 0.7 | 1.5 | 3.5 | 42% | 0.6 | 2.1 | 0.4 | 0.5 | 54% | 51% | Total | 72 | 1 | 13.0 | 4.5 | 2.2 | 1.2 | 0.4 | 1.8 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 0.6 | 0.9 | 1.7 | 4.1 | 42% | 0.7 | 2.3 | 28% | 0.4 | 0.5 | 74% |
In the 2020/21 season, Dieng played with the INSEP Academy, a French training center in Paris, averaging 12.6 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.5 assists. The program also hosted players like Tony Parker and Boris Diaw among others.
Despite being recruited by Duke, Arizona, Gonzaga, Memphis and Cincinnati, along with the G League Ignite, Dieng became the first European player to join the NBL’s Next Stars program in hopes of developing into a NBA draft prospect.
Whilst we try to source as much information as we can for every player who has ever played in the NBL some information on a player profile may be missing. If you have additional information on a player you'd like us to add to a profile, please send it to us using the enquiry form below.
Submissions are then sent to info@aussiehoopla.com
POS | TEAM | W | D | L | PTS |
1 |
|
21 | 3 | 3 | 66 |
2 |
|
20 | 4 | 3 | 64 |
3 |
|
19 | 4 | 4 | 61 |
4 |
|
18 | 2 | 6 | 56 |
5 |
|
18 | 2 | 4 | 56 |
Eleven months ago, during the Australian national team's final practice match before flying out to compete at the 2023 FIBA World Cup, Jock Landale went down with an ankle injury that changed the course of the Boomers' medal hopes. Prior to that game against South Sudan, pundits considered that tournament to be the Boomers' first chance to win a World Cup medal and their best chance to win gold to date. Instead, the Boomers suffered a disappointing loss to Luka Doncic's Slovenian team (84-100) and went on to finish…
READ MOREPatrick Ewing Jr. joins Dan Boyce on the Aussie Hoopla podcast to discuss why he's come to Australia to coach in the NBL1, his time playing in the NBA, and, of course, growing up with an NBA legend as a father. As part of the coaching staff at South West Metro in the NBL1 North, he's also helping to develop Aussie NBA prospect Roman Siulepa. He gives his thoughts on what he can bring to the NBL this season as Next Star and his potential…
READ MOREExciting news today as basketball superstar Carmelo Anthony announced he has become an ambassador for the NBL Next Stars program and will play an active role in “attracting and mentoring top-tier players worldwide”. NBA legend Carmelo Anthony has joined ownership of an expansion team in Australia's NBL ???? Eight players have been drafted out of the NBL's Next Stars program, including LaMelo Ball. ???? pic.twitter.com/BpLKLEHRVX — NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) June 4, 2024 He joins fellow NBA legend Kenny Smith, who announced he would be…
READ MOREScott Ninnis joins Dan Boyce on the Aussie Hoopla podcast to talk about taking over as head coach of the 36ers, how he is a different coach to the man who lasted two seasons at the helm of the Sixers from 2008-2010 and much more. Visit dunk.com.au for your next set of basketball uniforms. As a player, Scott played thirteen seasons in the NBL. He averaged 9.2 points, 1.7 rebounds, and 2.1 assists in 318 NBL games. iTunes - Spotify - Libsyn - TuneIn Podcast Topics…
READ MOREThe Perth Wildcats look set to be sold for the second time in three years. Current owners, Sports Entertainment Group Limited confirmed today it had received a non-binding offer from investment firm MT Arena Capital Investments Pty Ltd. The firm, headed by West Australian cybersecurity entrepreneur Mark Arena, who has been a rabid Perth Wildcats supporter since childhood. The company proposes 90% of the club in a staged acquisition over two years at a $40 million enterprise valuation. The Perth Wildcats, via social media, have…
READ MOREAndrew Bogut, one of the greatest basketballers Australia has ever produced, is renowned for his open and honest approach to whatever topics he is given. He joins Dan Boyce on the Aussie Hoopla podcast to discuss many of the topics mainstream NBL media give a biased view of or fail to cover at all. He's the most influential person in Aussie Hoops outside of Larry Kestelman and we get to hear his take on some of the hottest topics going around the league right now.…
READ MOREWith NBL total team spends revealed for 2023/24, the 'haves' and the 'have nots' are now clearly visible for fans to see. TOTAL TEAM CAP SPEND 2023-24 Perth Wildcats $2,407,957 Adelaide 36ers $2,262,445 Tasmania JackJumpers $2,223,102 Melbourne United $2,151,084 Sydney Kings $2,042,070 New Zealand Breakers $1,870,560 Illawarra Hawks $1,809,796 South East Melbourne Phoenix $1,779,641 Brisbane Bullets $1,701,134 Cairns Taipans $1,644,917 The salary cap was set at $1,820,245, a number that was exceeded by six teams: the Wildcats, 36ers, JackJumpers, Melbourne United, the Sydney Kings, and…
READ MORECameron Oliver joins the podcast to discuss his time playing for the Cairns Taipans, how it shaped him as a player and a person, and how it helped him reach the NBA. Since leaving Australia, Cam has played in Spain, Puerto Rico, the Philippines, France and China, and he shares some of the highs and lows from each of these stops. Currently looking for a team to play with in 2024/25, he confirms that he'd love to return to the NBL. Visit dunk.com.au for…
READ MORE