Basketball: Drafted in 11th position by New York Knicks, the Lot-et-Garonnais Ousmane Dieng goes to Oklahoma City

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In the middle of the night in France, Lot-et-Garonnais Ousmane Dieng arrived in the NBA. Drafted in 11th position by the New York Knicks, the native of Villeneuve-sur-Lot will finally settle in Oklahoma where he will defend the colors of the Thunder.

“In 11th position, the New York Knicks select… Ousmane Dieng”. It is 9:10 p.m. in the United States, 3:10 a.m. in France when the boss of the NBA, Adam Silver, announces the big news, to the applause of the public. From dream to reality in the heart of this American night where the Lot-et-Garonnais Ousmane Dieng entered in a shattering way into another dimension.

News he dreamed of when he walked his first floors in Lot-et-Garonne. One thing is certain, it will change the life of this native of Villeneuve-sur-Lot. A very special moment, filled with strong emotion for Ousmane Dieng surrounded by all his relatives, in particular his parents Ababacar and Marie-Pierre.

The Knicks cap

At the announcement of his name, the Dieng clan stood up. In his burgundy suit, Ousmane Dieng reserved his first embrace for Marie-Pierre, the mother before taking his father in his arms. He took the time to savor the moment in the middle of New York’s Barclays Center before heading to the stage.

In the middle of the night in France, in the early evening in New York, Ousmane Dieng arrived in the NBA. Drafted in 11th position by the New York Knicks, the native of Villeneuve-sur-Lot will finally settle in Oklahoma where he will defend the colors of the Thunder.

Near the steps so legendary, he put on the cap of the New York Knicks before shaking hands with Adam Silver for a legendary photo. A unique moment for him which will remain anchored in his memory and that of his family.

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Basketball: Lot-et-Garonnais Ousmane Dieng does not want to stop there and wants to become “NBA champion”

Direction… Oklahoma City

At first, the Villeunevois was armed with patience. For more than an hour, he saw the players parade before his eyes. Fortunately, the predictions were right. Many American specialized media (Sports Illustrated, ESPN, The Athletic) announced that he would be drafted around the 10th position. Well seen ! The New York Knicks’ 11th pick was the one. Ousmane Dieng enters the history of French basketball by becoming the fourth highest drafted “Frenchie”, tied with Mickaël Pietrus, Tariq Abdul-Wahad and Jérôme Moïso.

In the middle of the night in France, in the early evening in New York, Ousmane Dieng arrived in the NBA. Drafted in 11th position by the New York Knicks, the native of Villeneuve-sur-Lot will finally settle in Oklahoma where he will defend the colors of the Thunder.

Everything goes very quickly in the NBA and there are many exchanges on draft nights. Indeed, Ousmane Dieng will not play – for the moment in any case – under the jersey of the New York Knicks. This 11th pick of the 2022 draft was traded with several rounds of future drafts with Oklahoma City, a few minutes before the Villeneuvois was called. Ousmane Dieng therefore takes direct charge of the Thunder, a team that is betting on the future – which has selected the very promising Chet Holmgren in second position – and which will take the time to develop it. For him, no state of mind, he will be keen to show the full extent of his potential in the team that wants it. “I just want to play in the NBA, no matter what city I play in,” he said at a press conference after his selection.