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MANILA, Philippines – The Senegal men’s national basketball team received a major blow when it became official that NBA player Gorgui Dieng will not be part of the squad that will play in the Manila FIBA Olympic Qualifiers from July 5-10 at the Mall of Asia Arena.
A report by FIBA states that the Senegal Basketball Federation (FSBB) confirmed Dieng’s absence from the line-up for the upcoming Olympic Qualifiers after the 6-foot-11, 26-year-old withdrew his name from the country’s 23-team preliminary roster.
The report also says that Dieng will actually be present with his team for the tourney, but not play in the games. No reason for his withdrawal was mentioned.
Dieng, who played NCAA Division I basketball in the United States for Louisville, was taken 21st overall by the Utah Jazz in the 2013 NBA Draft before getting traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Last NBA season, he averaged 10.1 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks a game for the T-Wolves.
Dieng was actually part of the Senegal team that battled and lost to the Philippines in overtime during the 2014 FIBA World Cup in Spain. In that game, Dieng posted 13 points, 14 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 steals, and 3 blocks.
The FIBA report also states that Senegal will have a new recruit in Clevin Hannah and a new head coach in Porfirio Fisac. Key players Maurice Ndour and Hamady Ndiaye (a former PBA import) have yet to report to the team.
Senegal, which finished fourth in AfroBasket 2015, is in Group A of the Manila OQT with Canada and Turkey. A rematch could take place between Senegal and the Philippines again in either the semis or the finals, assuming both teams advance past the first round.
The team that wins the Manila Olympic Qualifiers will earn a ticket to the 2016 Rio Olympics. – Rappler.com
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