Senegal’s Gorgui Dieng continues to strive on and off the basketball court. Two years after being selected 21st overall pick by the Utah Jazz in the NBA draft and traded to Minnesota, life has never been the same again for the Timberwolves centre.
In his second season with the Minnesota Timberwolves, Dieng doubled his playing time, has gone from averaging 4.8 points to a career-high 9.7. He also increased his rebounding averages from 5 to 8.3 boards per game.
Dieng, a prominent element for the Senegalese national team in the upcoming AfroBasket 2015 (19 to 30 August in Tunisia), featured in the 2015 Rising Stars Challenge game in Brooklyn , bearing the African flag.
But it is off the basketball that Dieng has accomplished the highest prize of his life, so far.
Dieng left the University of Louisville one year early with the 2013 NCAA title under his belt to pursue his dream of playing in the NBA.
However, before he entered the NBA, the former Basketball Without Borders camper, pledged to invest in his education.
Last week – 10 May – Dieng graduated from the University of Louisville, earning a degree in Communications.
Back in February, during the All-Star weekend, supersport.com witnessed Dieng reminding everyone why education was a priority for him.
« The ball is going to stop bouncing some day. You have to get something in your pocket, » he said at the time.
When asked if hoped to become a reporter at some point after his NBA career, Dieng replied: « I just need a degree, I’ll see what I am going to do later.
« I [have online classes] get up early in the morning, and do it before practice, or before game, » Dieng offered.
© supersport.com
CONGRATULATIONS Gorgui , may u be an inspiration to the younger generations . Professional sport can bring about lots of opportunities so enjoy your game but maximize your potential by tapping in those collateral to prepare for life after lights are turned off . We wish u more success in life .
Congratulation Gorgui. We are proud of you.
Congratulations Dear Brother, we do wish you all the best in life. Hard work always pays dearly. I have listened to you over and over, but you have always been such a humble and polite guy but always very serious and you do believe in yourself because you know who you are and where you are from, just keep on this way bro, you will never regret it. All our prayers and good wishes on you