The 2022 NBA Draft will be an important event for teams to build for their future. Here is the Ousmane Dieng 2022 NBA Draft Profile.
Ousmane Dieng Background
Position: Forward
Size: 6-foot-10, 216 pounds
Class: N/A
Country: France
2021-22 stats: 8.9 points, 3.2 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 0.6 steals, 0.3 blocks, 39.8% FG, 27.1% 3FG, 66.7% FT
Dieng played one year in the NBL (Australia) and showed his development. Now he has declared for the 2022 NBA Draft.
His professional basketball career started off in France with Centre Federal, where he averaged 12.6 points and 5.6 rebounds per game. Following one season in France, he joined the New Zealand Breakers in Australia. He averaged 8.9 points and 3.2 rebounds for the Breakers in 23 games played. Dieng has also helped the U-16 France National Team get a silver medal in 2019.
Following his season in the NBL, Dieng declared for the 2022 NBA Draft. He is a projected mid-first-round pick.
Ousmane Dieng Strengths
His measurables are one of the most notable strengths. He is 6-foot-10 and 216 pounds. Dieng has a solid wingspan and it looks as if he may still be growing. He will need to work on adding strength, but he has a good start to an NBA body, especially given his status as a forward.
For his size, Dieng is a great ball-handler. He has shown the ability to drive to the basket with decent control. Dieng has solid dribble moves and can be a mismatch on the offensive end because of his ability to draw his man, usually a big man, out on the perimeter. His ball-handling can make defenses help, which opens up teammates.
He has serious potential on the defensive end of the floor. Dieng has great length for someone who has played on the wing. This length will help him be disruptive. While his per-game averages for blocks and steals weren’t great in the NBL, as he gets used to his growing body, he could develop into a lockdown defender because of his decent movement ability and great length.
Ousmane Dieng Weaknesses
Dieng will need to add strength, even if he continues to play on the wing. He will be outmuscled by much shorter players in the NBA, who have already built that strength. This really impacts his game, as he will shy away from contact rather than trying to finish through it, or challenge opponents on the defensive end of the floor.
His 3-point shot has to improve if he wishes to play a lot of minutes on the wing. He shot just 27.1 percent from 3-point range in Australia. If he is unable to stretch the floor, and can’t at least add a mid-range jump shot it will be really hard for him to develop.
Right now smaller defenders are able to guard Dieng. As mentioned, his 3-point shot is streaky, so even with the height advantage, he is unable to make teams pay for guarding him with a smaller player. He also doesn’t have the physicality to get to the basket as often as he should be able to. Smaller defenders can keep their feet in front of them and neutralize Dieng. He needs to knock down shots more consistently and make a concerted effort to get to the basket when smaller players defend him.
Projected Draft Range: Mid-First-Round Pick
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