Meet Senegalese NBA star Gorgui Dieng, the basketball sensation who brings a whirlwind of excitement to the NBA. Born on January 18, 1990, Dieng’s journey from Senegal to the professional basketball courts is a thrilling ride.
From his dazzling seven-season tenure with the Minnesota Timberwolves to a brief stint with the Memphis Grizzlies and a triumphant return to the San Antonio Spurs, Gorgui Dieng’s journey is a captivating rollercoaster of talent and unwavering passion for the game. Here’s all you need to know:
Recruitment
Gorgui Sy Dieng drew interest from Marquette, Marshall, Colorado, and others, with Louisville and Marshall showing the most interest. His stellar academic performance, including acing the SAT after learning English, made him a standout prospect.
On March 30, 2010, Marshall’s head coach departed, and the next day, Louisville’s Rick Pitino extended his contract. Capitalizing on this, Dieng verbally committed to Louisville on April 26, 2010, with assistance from NBA-experienced coach Walter McCarty.
Dieng’s commitment marked a significant recruiting win for Louisville, and as a four-star recruit per Rivals.com, he ranked as the No. 10 power forward and the No. 44 player in the nation in 2010.
College career
Gorgui Dieng faced initial NCAA eligibility issues upon joining Louisville but gained approval after an appeal. In his freshman year, he played limited games, contributing 5.7 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks. The 2010–11 season ended disappointingly with an upset in the NCAA tournament’s second round.
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As a sophomore, Dieng became the starting center for the 2011–12 Louisville team, reaching the NCAA tournament Final Four. Leading the Big East in blocks, he set a school record.
Notably, on March 22, 2012, Dieng matched a Louisville tournament record with 7 blocks in a victory over Michigan State.
In 2012–13, he was honored on Senior Day as he decided to enter the 2013 NBA draft. His college achievements include winning the NCAA championship in 2013, earning Big East Defensive Player of the Year (2013), First Team All-Big East (2013), and a spot on the Big East All-Tournament Team (2012). He holds the second position in all-time blocks in Cardinal history, with 267 blocks.
Professional career
Minnesota Timberwolves (2013–2020)
- Draft Selection (2013): He was drafted 21st overall by Utah Jazz in the 2013 NBA draft. Then traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
- Rookie Landmark (2014): On March 20, 2014, recorded 22 points and 21 rebounds, achieving the first-ever 20–20 game by a rookie in Timberwolves’ franchise history.
- Clutch Performance (2014): On April 11, against the Houston Rockets, scored the game-winning basket with 4.6 seconds left, finishing with 12 points and 20 rebounds. Named to the NBA All-Rookie second team for season improvements.
- Representing Team World (2015): On January 28, 2015, named a representative of Team World for the 2015 Rising Stars Challenge.
- Team Africa Exhibition (2015): Played for Team Africa at the 2015 NBA Africa exhibition game on August 1, 2015.
- Contract Extension (2016): On October 31, 2016, signed a four-year, $64 million contract extension with the Timberwolves.
- Statistical Milestones (2016–2017): Achieved a season-high 21 points on January 15, 2017, and recorded 11 points, a season-high 15 rebounds, six assists, and three blocks on March 30, 2017.
Memphis Grizzlies (2020–2021)
- Trade and Buyout (2020–2021): Acquired by the Memphis Grizzlies on February 6, 2020, in a three-team trade. Reached a contract buyout agreement on March 26, 2021.
San Antonio Spurs (2021)
- Signing with the Spurs (2021): Signed with the San Antonio Spurs on March 29, 2021, averaging 5.3 PPG, 2.6 RPG, and 1.2 APG in 16 games played off the bench.
Atlanta Hawks (2021–2022)
- Hawks Signing (2021–2022): Signed a 1-year, $4 million contract with the Atlanta Hawks on August 9, 2021.
Return to San Antonio (2022–2023)
- Contract Return (2022): Signed a contract to return to the San Antonio Spurs on July 5, 2022. Waived on January 5, 2023, then signed two consecutive 10-day contracts on January 8 and 20. Re-signed with the Spurs on February 10 for the remainder of the season.
Family and Net worth
Gorgui Dieng cherishes a close bond with his parents, Momar Dieng and Seynabou Diagne, nofurther details about them remain undisclosed. The basketball sensation values the unwavering support he received from his parents throughout his career, sharing a special connection with them.
Dieng found happiness in his marriage to Amalia Dieng, the love of his life. The couple welcomed a baby boy named Momar, and together, they are building a joyous and contented family life.
The skilled basketball player from Senegal has left an enduring imprint on the basketball landscape. Boasting remarkable skills and unwavering dedication, Dieng’s net worth is currently estimated at an impressive $32 million in 2023.
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More about Gorgui Dieng
Gorgui Dieng is well-known for helping others. In 2015, he started the Gorgui Dieng Foundation to support healthcare in Senegal, his home country. The foundation provides things like medical equipment and supplies.
In 2019, he got an award for his community work from the NBA, called the Offseason NBA Cares Community Assist Award. This award recognizes players who make a big impact in their communities.
The name “Gorgui” means “the old one” in Wolof, his native language.