“Freak” Dieng a Future NBA Franchise Player: Shamir

Friday, October 8, 2021

New Zealand Breakers coach Dan Shamir believes NBL Next Star Ousmane Dieng has the potential to become a franchise player in the NBA.

French sensation Dieng has joined the Breakers this season as a Next Star, the same program New Zealand developed Orlando Magic guard RJ Hampton under.

Speaking on The Huddle, Shamir revealed Dieng has grown to 6’10 and he thinks he can become an “unbelievable” player.

“If we're talking long term, a few years from now, and I'm not very good with that and this is not my job predicting stuff four years from now, that is what the NBA scouts and GMs are supposed to do, and I could never tell what somebody can become,” Shamir said.

“With all that intro, I don't think I've ever seen anything like that…huge wingspan and the talent level is just incredible. I'm thinking a franchise player in the NBA.

“I cannot commit, and I cannot guarantee anything, but the only comparison that I can think of are very very big names.

“There are a few years for him to get there, so I don't want people to quote me in two months when he has a bad game saying this guy's going to be a franchise player because he needs to develop physically.

“This is what everybody will see, he has got a road to go in terms of physical development but it's very natural. At his age he couldn't make up for all that.

“What he can do with the ball and his feel for the game and his length and his passing ability and vision and how fluid he is with the ball is just incredible.

“I think he's a total freak when I look at him in terms of the basketball package.

“I don't know if I'm going to be the one to enjoy it because he is going to get pushed around a little bit, it's going to be tough to come to play in this physical league with this kind of body right now but once he gets over that I'm seeing an unbelievable player.”

Dieng is currently ranked 14^th on ESPN’s top 100 for the 2022 NBA Draft.

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