Rather discreet for his learning season as a rookie, averaging 5 points and 3 rebounds in 15 minutes, Ousmane Dieng arrives with other expectations for his second start in Oklahoma City.
Selected in 11th position in 2022, in “lottery pick”, the young 20-year-old French winger refused the invitation to the French team’s training camp due to a back injury, but Ousmane Dieng did not waste his time during the offseason. While he says he has grown an inch since last season (from 2m06 to 2m08?), he has also gained muscle mass and has also worked on his game, training notably with Russell Westbrookan elder of House Thunder.
But he was also able to benefit services of Chip Engellandthe shooting specialist who arrived last summer in OKC, who spent many years at Spurs, working in particular with Tony Parker to adjust his outside skills.
“He’s stronger”
“My father played basketball, I was always in the gym with him. I started very young. And then, I saw Kobe on TV. I watch a lot of Kevin Durant and Paul George too. I’m inspired by Luka, KD, Ingram. I want to become All Star, champion, MVP”, he daydreams during “media day”. “The physical aspect was a point of work this summer. I continued to work on my shooting too, with Chip in particular. »
Back from the World Cup where he rubbed shoulders with the rougher FIBA game, Josh Giddey visibly noticed the difference. The young Frenchman is, according to him, the player who could be the revelation of the year on the team.
“We look in great shape. He’s stronger”, confirmed the Australian. “During our training matches, he made a lot of shots and he looked very comfortable in his game. He’s still a baby, he’s the baby of the team! Last year it was difficult for him because he didn’t play much, he was sometimes out of the rotation. But he worked hard this summer and he looks like he’s ready to have a great season in his second year. [en NBA]. »
| Ousmane Dieng | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2022-23 | OKAY | 39 | 15 | 42.0 | 26.5 | 65.2 | 0.5 | 2.2 | 2.7 | 1.2 | 1.1 | 0.4 | 0.7 | 0.2 | 5.0 |
| Total | 39 | 15 | 42.0 | 26.5 | 65.2 | 0.5 | 2.2 | 2.7 | 1.2 | 1.1 | 0.4 | 0.7 | 0.2 | 5.0 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
