It is between the huge wooden doors of the Thunder's ultra-modern locker room that we find Ousmane Dieng, in civilian clothes for the evening, he who is precisely between the doors of the elevator between the NBA and the G-League.
In his second season, the young 20-year-old French winger is still kept to a bare minimum, with playing time decreasing, to 11 minutes per match (18 matches). But the former Insep and New Zealand Breakers maintains morale within a team which is enjoying its recent success.
Ousmane, how is your second season at Thunder going?
It goes well. Right now, I'm going back and forth with the G-League a lot to get more minutes, and more confidence. And every time I've been with the Thunder, when I've had the opportunity, I try to show all my game and make the team win.
How do you feel about your progress since your rookie year which was that of discovery?
I feel much more comfortable. I try to prove as soon as I have playing time. Even when I play in another position, I try to progress and learn this position. I continue to work so I think I am progressing.
We made you play in different positions, is that an additional difficulty?
Sometimes it depends. At the start of the season for example, when we had injuries, I helped at station 5. I try to learn and help anyway. We have a good group. We are playing very well at the moment. We train, we improve collectively, it's positive for the future.
Playing inside, even pivot, wasn't really your habit in the youth categories in France, how did this adaptation go?
At Insep, I played leader, on the outside positions anyway. So yes, it was a little hard at the beginning, especially in the NBA. But hey, that's okay, I'm learning. I'm holding. I remember [Nikola] Vucevic who had been difficult to hold.
“I just have to stay ready to give everything as soon as I have minutes”
How do you manage your inconsistent gaming time?
I try not to pay too much attention to it, even though it's clearly not the best for a player. I just have to stay ready to give everything as soon as I have minutes. To show what I'm worth.
What does the coach communicate to you?
To continue working. I came back from the G-League last time, and he told me it was very good. They sent me back to get more minutes and gain more confidence. They encourage me to continue like this.
In what areas in particular are they expecting you?
Just playing hard. The game without a ball. And then, doing all the little things to help the team win. We have a lot of players who can carry the ball in the team, so do other things on the side that will help the team.
It is the objective of your appearances in the G-League where you average 16.7 points and 7.1 rebounds?
Yes, it gives me a lot more minutes with the ball. I can create and replay a little like I played before. I'm finding my gaming habits more.
What are the areas of improvement that you are personally targeting this season?
A little bit of everything. I still work a lot physically. And on my shoot too with Chip [Engelland]. He had Tony, Boris, lots of French players, we work well. We actually reviewed my mechanics. So that I am more in line, and better on the placement of my legs. Have a broader base. To trigger faster too.
“He follows us closely”
Is it more difficult to get a clear message from the coaching staff with all this back and forth?
The coach is there to talk to us and tell us what we need to improve. He even comes to G-League games to watch us. He follows us closely. As we have the same playing systems in both teams, it's quite easy to switch from one to the other.
What could you really be missing to make the grade and become an integral part of the squad?
Not much. I have to continue to make the efforts, the small actions that will help the team. Continue like this. Go put the screens on Shai, or others. Further progress in the game without the ball.
What is their, and your, long-term vision? A “point forward” profile?
At the moment I'm just focusing on this season. Of course I have goals and ambitions but I have to stay focused on this season, on what I need to do to get opportunities, and take advantage of those opportunities when they come.
You had your best game of the season in mid-December with 18 points against Utah, your benchmark match?
It was a good match. I managed to get open shots. I made some good cuts and concluded a few “rolls”. It was an opportunity that I managed to seize.
“Nothing has changed mentally”
On a collective level, you have clearly reached a milestone by becoming a team firmly established to win the playoffs, how do you explain this very rapid progress?
Nothing has changed mentally. We had the return of Chet [Holmgren] obviously. We had big additions, with Cason [Wallace] Also. But nothing has really changed mentally. We always attack matches in the same way.
[Alors que l’on discute, Lu Dort débarque dans le vestiaire et apprécie visiblement que ça parle français à OKC, d’où la question suivante] Speaking of which, do Canadians speak a little French, and the little rivalry emerging on the international scene?
Shai, he says he knows, but not really. On the other hand, Lu comes from Quebec and, as we saw just now, he likes to speak French with us. He has some funny expressions sometimes.
On the same subject, where do you stand in relation to the French team, with the Olympic Games at home next summer?
I would like to play for the French team. Last summer I couldn't because I had a back injury. But obviously, the French team holds an important place in my heart and I would like to make as many selections as possible.
Especially since you have already worn the blue jersey in the youth category…
I had made the U16s but the following year, it was Covid. And in U18, I was unfortunately injured. We finished second [du Championnat d’Eurpe 2019] in U16 with Victor [Wembanyama]. We had Adama Bal, who plays in Santa Clara now. Armel Traoré too. A great team.
Comments collected in Oklahoma City
| 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 |
| 2023-24 | OKAY | 18 | 11 | 45.8 | 35.0 | 83.3 | 0.4 | 1.2 | 1.6 | 0.9 | 0.7 | 0.1 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 4.3 |
| Total | 57 | 14 | 42.9 | 29.0 | 71.4 | 0.5 | 1.9 | 2.4 | 1.1 | 1.0 | 0.3 | 0.6 | 0.1 | 4.8 | |
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.
