Ousmane Ndiaye: Senegal's Rising Basketball Phenom

Ousmane Ndiaye: Senegal's Rising Basketball Phenom

Like any young Senegalese, Ousmane Ndiaye began his sporting career by playing football. But the eleven-year-old very quickly found that his physique was made for other things. Pursued by someone who was clearly sent from above, the 6ft 10 centre made a brave choice to stop kicking and start dribbling.

Advancing swiftly, Ousmane Ndiaye's academic pursuits intersect with his passion at Dakar's TBA Academy, providing him with a profound grasp of the game's fundamentals. Subsequently, his basketball journey reaches new heights as he seizes the chance to move to Europe, residing with his grandmother in Germany.

There he would go on to play for Dragons Rhöndorf, a ProB club based in North Rhine-Westphalia, where he diligently refined his skills. Throughout the regular season of 2021-2022, he demonstrated consistent improvement, tallying an impressive 9.4 points per game (PPG) and securing 8.9 rebounds per game (RPG).

Throughout his childhood, Ndiaye harboured aspirations of becoming the president of his country, but as time unfolded, those dreams evolved into more achievable goals — setting his sights on becoming an NBA professional and a Senegalese basketball legend.

His mentor and close confidant, Coach Mohamed, affectionately known as "Momo," has played a crucial role in keeping Ndiaye steadfastly focused on his goals. Momo extended the honour of a national team call-up for the U17 World Cup, but unfortunately, a setback occurred as a knee injury thwarted Ndiaye's participation.

Nevertheless, he is on his way to Madagascar to represent Senegal in the U18 African Championships this month and he can't wait to duke it out.

"We will have to be on top to win the trophy, we are ready for that despite the presence of Mali who beat us in the final in the last edition." Ndiaye added.

This young Lion is prepared to unleash his roar on the court, aiming to secure that podium spot and bring Senegal their second trophy.

[Image/Photography Credit: FIBA]