Simply being round a profitable staff could be a galvanizing expertise for a participant.
The Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder are aiming to grow to be a dynasty, and that begins with changing into the primary NBA staff in seven years to retain the title.
There’s a lengthy street forward in 2025-26, and amid the await the season to start, one in all their gamers is making an attempt to proceed his profitable behavior.
Ousmane Dieng might be in motion for France at EuroBasket, and is decided to win one other title.
Ousmane Dieng, 22, performed a peripheral function within the Thunder’s success, that includes in solely 37 common season video games and three playoff video games.
Talking after his third season with the staff, Dieng believes he realized so much from the previous season.
He informed the French media: “I improved so much in lots of areas, which makes the sport appear easier, slower. I additionally progressed so much bodily.
“Reaching a title is a dream come true, however I additionally realized so much alongside the way in which. I realized from the playoffs that each possession counts, as a result of we misplaced twice on the buzzer, we should not waste it.”
Dieng was referring to late particular person sport losses to the Denver Nuggets and the Indiana Pacers. In each collection OKC recovered to clinch them 4-3.
He goals to take his classes into EuroBasket, including: “It’s an vital expertise for the longer term but in addition for the French staff: I realized how you can win titles.”
France are one of many favorites to win EuroBasket, and one in all their primary rivals might be Serbia, led by Nuggets star Nikola Jokic.
They can even function Dieng’s Thunder teammate Nikola Matter, who missed all of final season recovering from a torn ACL.
Matter impressed at NBA Summer season League, and getting extra sport time in forward of the season might be helpful for each him and Dieng – however there can solely be one winner.
