{"id":2735,"date":"2025-04-28T08:52:09","date_gmt":"2025-04-28T08:52:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/2735\/"},"modified":"2025-04-28T08:52:09","modified_gmt":"2025-04-28T08:52:09","slug":"2025-nba-draft-serge-ibaka-like-floor-spacer-makes-decision","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/2735\/","title":{"rendered":"2025 NBA Draft: Serge Ibaka-Like Floor-Spacer Makes Decision"},"content":{"rendered":"

Senegal will have solid representation in the 2025 NBA Draft, with multiple prospects coming by way of the West African country. In fact, merely two hours after Reggio Emilia center Mouhamed \u201cMomo\u201d Faye\u2019s decision to declare<\/a> for the upcoming draft was announced, Baskonia\u2019s Ousmane N\u2019Diaye was revealed to have put his name in the goblet of fire as well (h\/t DraftExpress analyst Jon Chepkevich).<\/p>\n

Ousmane N\u2019Diaye Declares For 2025 NBA Draft<\/p>\n

At 6-foot-11, N\u2019Diaye is a truly intriguing stretch-forward who connected on 40.9 percent of his 3-point attempts during the 2025 Angola AfroBasket Qualifiers<\/a>, while taking 7.3 three-point attempts per game. Across those six games, N\u2019Diaye averaged 15.3 points per contest.<\/p>\n

Baskonia\u2019s Ousmane N\u2019Diaye entered the 2025 NBA Draft ahead of last night\u2019s deadline, I\u2019m told.<\/p>\n

The Senegalese 6\u201911\u201d stretch forward was exceptional at the AfroBasket qualifiers, averaging 15.3 PTS, 8.3 REB, 1.3 AST, 2.7 STL, 1.7 BLK while shooting 41% on 7+ threes per game. pic.twitter.com\/sxp7MsIeTj<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Jon Chepkevich (@JonChep) April 27, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

Senegal went undefeated. N\u2019Diaye led the team in average rebounds (8.3) and blocks (1.3), while tying for lead in average steals (2.3). His scoring average was second on the team, behind Brancou Badio (17.7 points per game). Suffice it to say, from a statistical standpoint, he was king of the jungle. This despite being on a team with players like G League forward Babacar Sane<\/a>, Basketball Africa League standout Jean Jacques Boissy, and former five-star recruit Karim Mane.<\/p>\n

Serge Ibaka-Like Skillset<\/p>\n

Just because N\u2019Diaye was better than his teammates in one tournament doesn\u2019t mean that he\u2019ll have more success on his basketball journey. However, it does lend credence to the belief that he has a chance to make an impact in the NBA.<\/p>\n

Typically, African prospects are looked at as raw athletes who need to refine their skill, the inverse of the European prospects. There\u2019s a time and place for discussions about whether those assessments are steeped in Eurocentric worldviews, especially considering the skill level of players like Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid<\/a> and Indiana Pacers forward Pascal Siakam<\/a>, who were born and raised in Africa. Nevertheless, it\u2019s the main lens through which African prospects are viewed.<\/p>\n

In N\u2019Diaye\u2019s case, he\u2019s demonstrated enough skill to be compared to the likes of former NBA big man Serge Ibaka<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

Of note, Ibaka was born in Brazzaville, the Republic of the Congo\u2019s capital city. The 6-foot-11 forward-center also ended his career as three-time All-Defensive selection and NBA champion. Over the course of his 14-year NBA career, he made 35.9 percent of his 3-pointers, finishing with 614 total conversions.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

There are distinct similarities between the two. N\u2019Diaye appears to have a deeper range and more confidence from beyond the arc. Ibaka\u2019s in-between game was more pronounced. Nevertheless, for NBA teams trying to figure out where N\u2019Diaye fits in, Ibaka\u2019s tape is a great place to start.<\/p>\n

With that being said, Ibaka was selected 24th overall in the 2008 NBA Draft. To this point, there aren\u2019t any mocks<\/a> placing N\u2019Diaye in the first round. However, he wouldn\u2019t be the first prospect to have their stock spike closer to Draft Day. If he performs well in NBA Draft Combine workouts and scrimmages, he very well could become a late first-rounder.<\/p>\n

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