Its development in Oklahoma City, its approach, Mark Daigneault… The big interview with Ousmane Dieng

At 21, Ousmane Dieng is in its third NBA season. Since his draft in 2022, the former INSEP resident has only played 98 games. His coach, Mark Daigneault, however, reminded us that there remains a project for the Thunder and that his evolution is on track in a team that has a busy workforce.

Before the Thunder's defeat in Golden State, DNA of Sports therefore returned with Ousmane Dieng to his three seasons at Oklahoma City and the way he approaches his situation and the opportunities that arise.

Ousmane, the Thunder is often mentioned as a franchise that knows how to develop its young players. You have been in this system for three years, can you explain to us why it is so effective?

Already, the franchise is really very well organized. For example, when I was in G-League, the coach was there at all games at home, and for outside matches he watches the videos. We play the same systems, we have the same principles, everything is the same. So being in a stable environment helps a lot. This is the main advantage.

“During my first year, I was not sure how to approach it. I was wondering if it was a punishment at first and in fact I quickly understood that it was really for development, to improve myself ”

And how did he help you progress since your arrival in the NBA?

It helped me a lot. Already being able to play in G-League was a boon because it allows me to have time of play at my post and to gain confidence. And in the NBA, when I have minutes, being able to store more experience in a team that wins, we have been first to the west for two seasons, it's great. Because it forces you to take good habits and have high goals to be able to help the team.

It's been three seasons that you commute between the G-League and the NBA. You have been MVP of the final (from the development league) Last season, one could imagine that mentally it can be complicated to continue like this. How do you approach this situation?

During my first year, I was not sure how to approach it. I was wondering if it was a punishment at first and in fact I quickly understood that it was really for development, to improve myself. As I told you, it allows me to have playing time with the ball in my hands, something that I cannot necessarily have when I play in the NBA. It really allows me to develop and I attack it with the right mindset. The important thing is to play and take advantage of the opportunity. At least that's how I see it.

The Thunder has exercised the option on your 4th year of contract. Before the meeting, the coach explained that he is satisfied with your progress but that the competition is tough at your post. Is there, at times, there is a doubt that settles in your mind between wanting to stay and getting used to the best team in the West and potentially have desires, in a less team Where would it be easier to have playing time?

Yes, I see what you mean, but I think the grass is not always greener elsewhere. It's hard to know what my situation would look like if I was in another team. But I think that if I continue to work hard, to develop, to progress, it will eventually happen. As I said, I try to seize all the opportunities given to me. I think what I want will happen at one point so I rather see it like that.

How useful it is for you to face Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, Lu Dort… every day?

Of course, of course, it helps a lot to play every day in front of them, but even just to see and rub shoulders with players of this level every day. So it is also one of the positive points to be in a team that targets the title, because you can learn and improve yourself in a high -level environment with champion aspirations.

“We already have a lot of good defenders in the team. And then, collectively we work a lot on our defense from the training camp and still now. All players are involved ”

You were talking about Mark Daigneault at the start of the interview, what kind of coach is it on a daily basis?

You feel that he really likes what he is doing. He is very invested. Good after, I have not known many coaches in the NBA but we see that he is unique in his style and in his approach, and that's why he won coach trophies of the month and that He is a candidate for coach of the year. We see that he is passionate, that he loves his work, and that he has confidence in his players. It makes you want to play for him because we know that he wants everyone to succeed.

Do you have the best defense of the League, what makes your defense so strong, despite the loss of Chet Holmgren at the start of the season?

We already have a lot of good defenders in the team. And then, collectively we work a lot on our defense from the training camp and still now. All players are involved, and I think that's what makes the difference. Everyone shoots the same direction.

I imagine it's easier to do when Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams make the efforts that need in defense …

That's it, that's it. And when you see the best players giving themselves as they do in defense, everyone follows.

You meet Shai Gilgeous-Alexander for three seasons. How can you describe its evolution? It was already strong when you arrived but now it became one of the best players in the league. Has he changed since you are there?

No, it remains the same. He is a very big worker. It is always the last from the room. Very big worker, very good player is undeniable, he puts 30 points in each match, regardless of the defenses. I think he is also a good leader. He is not necessarily a vocal leader, but he always tries to show the example for everyone. It is affordable, it includes everyone and it sets the tone for the rest of the team.

Do you lose in the conference semi-finals last season, what did the group draw from this painful experience for this season?

The team also changed a little with the arrivals of Isaiah and Alex. But I think we really learned that all the details count throughout the season, even when we play against teams that are a little less strong. You have to pay attention to details to build good habits because it is these details that will come back to haunt you at the end of the season and in playoffs. I think we have learned a lot from this elimination and, this season, you see the difference.

“We are first to the west so it would be logical (that Jalen Williams be All-Star). And then, I think we should also take into account what the players do in defense. »»

The replacements for the All-Star Game are announced tomorrow, do you think that Jalen Williams deserves to be selected?

Of course ! It's his third year like me, and what makes every night is strong! He even played lots of times in post 5 when it was not at all his post. Yes, I think it should be All-Star.

Do you think you have to reward players who are in high table teams rather than focusing only on individual statistics?

That's it. We are first to the west, first of the league itself (before the match) so it would be logical. And then, I think we should also take into account what the players do in defense.

Finally, let's talk about the French team, you were in the group last summer before the Olympic Games. It was only for a short time, but what do you keep of this experience?

Unfortunately, I could not train so I couldn't show anything but be in contact with other players, being able to exchange with them, and talking to them was a good experience. So that's already it.

Have you ever had the opportunity to chat with Fred Faux since his appointment at the head of the French team?

Not yet, no. Not yet.

Is Euro 2025 a goal for you?

I hope, I hope. If I am called, I would go but, for the moment, my main objective is to continue to progress to settle permanently in the NBA.

Interview in San Francisco.

How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = minutes; Shots = successful shots / tempted shots; 3pts = 3-point / 3-point attempted; LF = Successful free throws / tempted free throws; Off = offensive rebound; Def = defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; PD = assists; FTE: Personal faults; Int = interceptions; BP = lost bullets; CT: against; Pts = points.