With Théo Maledon in the workforce there are still ten days, one could think that the transition was going to be smooth for the tricolor rookie, Ousmane Dieng.
But the European vice-champion leader was sent to Houston in an exchange. Whatever, Ousmane Dieng still has a “translator” in the team in the person of Lu Dort, the native of Montreal who made his return to competition last night, after signing his new contract with OKC.
“Sometimes I run into him in French because he is still quite hesitant with English,” send Lu Dort.
After two preseason games without much flavor at 6 points on average, Ousmane Dieng came out of his shell with a nice performance last night at 18 points at 8/12 on shots including 2/4 at 3-points, plus 4 rebounds and 4 passes.
“He clearly has a good view of the game and the pitch. He just needs to step on the gas a bit more in attack, and he needs to be able to fight back in defence.”
Against Maccabi Ra’anana (an Israeli second division club), the 19-year-old French winger was established and, if he was timored on his attacks from the circle after a shock to the knee, he was on the other hand very effective in his decision-making, delivering several selfless assists at the right tempo.
“He is definitely talented,” recognized Mark Daigneault in The Oklahoman. “He clearly has a good view of the game and the pitch. He just has to press the gas a little more on offense, and he has to be able to fight on defense. He is in the same situation as Poku before him: he must get used to the physical dimension of the game in defense, but also in attack as a creator and player who penetrates to the circle. »
Drafted in 11th position after a season in the Australian championship, Ousmane Dieng actually seems quite slow compared to his teammates such as Darius Bazley, Jalen Williams or Aleksej Pokusevski. In his third year at OKC, the latter necessarily empathizes with the fate of the Frenchy, who is following in his own footsteps.
“I can see a bit of my game in his, like in this game [hier] evening. He is a very good passer. I can’t wait to see what he can do in the future. I think he’s going to have a great rookie season. »
