OKC Thunder: Ousmane Dieng Took Strides in Summer League
In the 2022 NBA Draft, Oklahoma City traded three first round picks to move up and select French 18-year-old Ousmane Dieng out of the NBL.
While Dieng was always known as a developmental prospect, the 6-foot-10 wing had tantalizing raw skills and intangibles that excited Thunder fans and coaches. After his rookie year, however, many fans were ready to give up on the young player after only one season in the NBA.
Dieng didn't see much action for OKC, averaging 14.6 minutes played in 39 appearances for the Thunder last season. When the frenchman was on the floor, he averaged only 4.9 points, 2.7 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game while shooting 42% from the field and 26.5% from beyond the arc.
Dieng did show some defensive flashes as a rookie in 2022-23, but for the most part did not have a strong start to his career like many Oklahoma City fans had hoped he would.
In the 2023 Summer League, however, Dieng looked like a different player. Aside from a horrendous opener in Utah, the second-year wing looked confident in his skills and ability to score.
After averaging only 7.3 points and 3.7 rebounds on 40.9% from the floor in last year's Summer League, Dieng tallied a remarkable 14.1 points, 6.1 rebounds, four assists and one steal per game while shooting 50% from the floor and over 35% from 3-point range this summer.
Now 20-years-old, Dieng is still a young player with plenty of room to grow. While his Summer League numbers are impressive, Dieng still needs to prove that this improvement will translate to the regular season.
The 6-foot-10 wing will be battling for playing time on a loaded roster this year, and will have to display his worth to earn minutes on a team that will have its sights set on the postseason after reaching the Play-In Tournament last season.
If Dieng does earn significant playing time, however, he will fit perfectly with the Thunder's scheme and philosophy and could provide exactly what the roster was missing last year.
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