NBA Draft 2013: Louisville’s Gorgui Dieng Player Profile
Gorgui Dieng, C, Louisville, 6’11’’, 230 lbs
2012-13 collegiate stats: 9.8 points, 9.4 rebounds, 2.5 blocks in 31 minutes
Fresh off a national championship, former Louisville center Gorgui Dieng will be entering the draft as one of the older players at age 23. Despite this, he is projected to be a first-round pick.
Strengths
Gorgui Dieng’s wingspan measures in at 7’4’’ — something that will impress NBA scouts immediately. This allows Dieng to block and contest shots at the rim. Despite the NBA going small recently, the Indiana Pacers — and more specifically, Roy Hibbert — have shown just how important rim protection can be. Dieng blocked 2.5 shots a game in just 31 minutes. If he can transition this to the next level, he’ll be of use to most teams in the league.
Dieng anchored the best defense in college basketball. Not only does he alter shots, but he defends the pick-and-roll very well, with the ability to switch onto guards with relative ease — a lá Joakim Noah.
He is extremely physical in the low post. In other words: He will not get pushed around. This stands him in good stead when compared to other centers in this year draft. I’m looking at you, Cody Zeller and Kelly Olynyk.
For a center, he is a very underrated passer and has a nice touch on the ball. Dieng will be good for a team either looking to play an inside-out game or one looking to play a high-low game between the power forward and the center.
Dieng can play above the rim, making him not only a threat for alley-oops in transition, but also when rolling to the hoop.
Weaknesses
Despite possessing a serviceable jump shot, Dieng remains somewhat raw at the offensive end of the floor. He has very few post moves that allow him to score and he can sometimes struggle to finish through contact. However, his hook shot started to improve towards the end of the season. This is something that he can consistently improve on — much like Roy Hibbert.
His age will put a few teams off. Being 23, his potential upside may be lower than someone of a younger age — like Nerlens Noel out of Kentucky.
Dieng has only been playing basketball for six years. This is both a positive and a negative; teams will see how much he grew during his time at Louisville, while other teams may see him as still relatively inexperienced at the age of 23.
Potential Landing Spots
Boston Celtics, No. 16 pick
Kevin Garnett is the reason why Boston had an above-average defense last year. However, he is 36. He needs help. Dieng would provide slightly similar skills on the defensive end. Of course, he lacks the offensive prowess, although he can hit a mid-range jumper like KG (Dieng hit the mid-range jumps hot at a 50 percent clip last season).
Oklahoma City Thunder, No. 12 pick
This may be a slight reach for the Thunder, but one that could just help them on their way to winning a championship. Dieng would immediatly displace Kendrick Perkins from the starting five and provide athleticism, shot blocking and defense.
Kendrick Perkins’ time in the starting five for OKC could be coming to an end.
Photo Credit: Keith Allison, Flickr.com
Chicago Bulls, No. 20 pick
The loss of Omer Asik is one the Bulls felt last season. Nazr Mohammed could not provide the energy or the shot-blocking prowess from the bench that the towering Turk could. Dieng would bring that. He’s a very Tom Thibodeau-type of player: A hard worker, tough defender and all-around level-headed young man. It’d be great to see him in Chi-town.