Ousmane Dieng Continues To Make Strides in the G League
The Oklahoma City Thunder have seen a ton of growth this season. Having already surpassed last season's win total with 41 victories in the first 58 games, the Thunder have seen key pieces make huge developmental leaps.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has turned into an MVP frontrunner. Jalen Williams is taking over games in the final frame and flashing his superstar potential. Chet Holmgren continues to play like a two-way star throughout his rookie campaign.
While the NBA squad continues to earn praise nationally for yet another win-total leap, putting themselves in the driver's seat to host a playoff series, the organization is littered with improvement.
Down with the OKC Blue in the NBA G League, Ousmane Dieng is making strides as well. In the 2022 NBA Draft, the Thunder traded up to grab Dieng in the lottery and always understood he would be a project pick.
Dieng has shown flashes throughout his two seasons, but he physically looks different this year. Not just getting bigger but playing with more imposing force and consistency.
At the G League level, the forward is converting at a 61 percent clip at the cup, dominating in isolation, producing 1.067 points per possession, being used as a roller in the pick-and-roll to the tune of 1.087 points per possession, and cutting behind the defense generating 1.263 points per possession on such attempts.
Dieng has posted a career-high in dunks (31), showing off his more forceful drives, knifing through traffic, and going up strong at the rack, which includes eight and-ones after just three last year in 20 games.
The Sophomore is third on the Blue among non-big men in blocks (15) and has only allowed opponents to convert at a 45 percent clip at the rim (73 percentile) against him.
Dieng ranks in the 91st percentile at shutting down spot-up attempts and in the 78th percentile as an isolation defender and has learned how to use his frame on that end of the floor.
Blue head coach Kameron Woods has noticed Dieng's improvement as well.
"I think with [Ousmane Dieng's improved physicality], a lot of that shows up on his drives and on the glass...Any time he puts his chest on people on drives or mixes it up on the glass he has come a long way there. He has just been lost in competing. When you do that, you give yourself a chance," said Woods.
The Thunder forward agrees with Woods' appraisal of his situation.
"I am trying to make the right play every time," Dieng said when asked what he's looking to do every night.
At still just 20 years old and with another summer of development on tap, it is easy to envision Dieng making an impact on the organization that views his progression as right on time.
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