NBA: Second-Year Players Showing Signs of Progress

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Nov 7, 2014; Orlando, FL, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves center Gorgui Dieng (5) points after he made a dunk against the Orlando Magic during the second quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Gorgui Dieng, Minnesota Timberwolves

Drafted: First Round, No. 21

Position: Center

Age: 24

2014-15 Slash Line: .508/.000/.839

2014-15 Season Averages: 18.60 PER, 26.2 MPG, 8.6 PPG, 7.8 RPG, 2.0 APG, 1.2 BPG, 1.1 SPG

The Minnesota Timberwolves have a tendency to draft players at positions that are already set. That was the case when Minnesota took Louisville Cardinals star Gorgui Dieng at No. 21 overall in 2013 to back up starting center Nikola Pekovic.

In both his rookie and second seasons, Dieng has proven that his time as a reserve is limited.

In 20 appearances, Dieng is averaging 8.6 points, 7.8 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.2 blocks and 1.1 steals in 26.2 minutes of action. This comes after a summer in which he led Senegal to stunning success at the 2014 FIBA World Cup.

It also comes after a rookie season in which he progressively improved.

Dieng averaged 8.6 points, 8.3 rebounds, 0.9 steals and 0.8 blocks in 20.7 minutes during March of 2014. He upped those numbers to 11.9 points, 10.7 rebounds, 2.0 blocks and 0.8 steals in 31.1 minutes during April of 2014.

Dieng recorded all nine of his double-doubles during that two-month period.

Drafted late because of his age, Dieng continued to improve from being a raw player to one without many flaws. He’s still adjusting defensively, but he’s strong on the glass, passes exceptionally well and has even shown flashes of being able to score out of the post.

24 years old or not, Dieng still has mountains of room for improvement. With every passing game, he’s making the necessary tweaks.

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