Gorgui Dieng set to play in South African exhibition
Minnesota Timberwolves center Gorgui Dieng is heading back to Africa.
Born in Senegal, the 25-year-old big man is expected to play in an NBA exhibition game this summer. It's in Johannesburg, South Africa on August 1.
Here's more information, courtesy of CBS Minnesota:
"Serge Ibaka of the Oklahoma City Thunder and Gorgui Dieng of the Minnesota Timberwolves also will take part in the Aug. 1 game in Johannesburg, the league says Tuesday. Beal and Faried will play for captain Chris Paul’s Team World in the game, the NBA’s first in Africa. Luol Deng of the Miami Heat, who was born in South Sudan, will lead Team Africa, with Ibaka and Dieng joining him."
Coming off a decent sophomore season that saw a major increase in playing time and per-game statistics, Dieng could be sent back to the bench next year if the team selects a center with the first overall pick in this month's draft (as they're expected to do).
His defense was spotty, but Dieng has real potential to be a heavy-minute rotation player for a very long time.
(h/t: CBS Minnesota)
Photo Credit: Andrew Richardson/USA TODAY Sports