Dieng, Besson NBA Draft Stocks Rise

The NBA interest in New Zealand Breakers youngsters Ousmane Dieng and Hugo Besson continues to rise.

ESPN’s latest mock draft has Dieng projected to be the 19^th pick while Besson is just outside the first round at selection 32.

Breakers coach Dan Shamir says the interest he has received from NBA teams about the pair is similar to the hype that surrounded RJ Hampton and LaMelo Ball.

“The conversations I’m having with NBA teams, and the amount of calls I’m getting is very similar to what we had with RJ Hampton here and LaMelo Ball playing in Australia,” Shamir told Stuff.

“There’s a lot of interest around these guys, and this is the time of the year NBA teams are collecting information and trying to figure out what they’re going to do.”

NBL Next Star Dieng has started to showcase his mouth-watering potential and athleticism after a slow start to the season.

His rapid improvement has made him a player Shamir struggles to keep off the court.

“Over the last few weeks he has gone from a guy it was hard to keep on the floor, who we had to play around his mistakes and weaknesses, and he became a guy I want on the floor and am happy putting the ball in his hands,” Shamir said.

Besson has displayed his sizzling scoring and shooting skills all season, while he also plays with a certain swagger and confidence that is needed on the big stage.

However, Shamir says it is important to recognise the improvements he has also made in other areas.

“Now suddenly he’s a guy who can do it all,” Shamir said.

“He can drive and finish in traffic, he can really shoot, and he can pass. He’s capable of putting together great scoring performances, but at the same time he’s making nice passes and good reads and has really improved his defence.”