Gorgui Dieng (SEN) - Senegal v Morocco, Afrobasket 2015 , Radès (Tunisia), Group Phase, 20 August 2015
RADES (AfroBasket 2015) - Gorgui Dieng is relishing the opportunity to represent Senegal again this summer and to play at an AfroBasket for the first time.
One year after making a huge splash with the national team at the FIBA Basketball World Cup, when he fired Senegal into the Round of 16, the 2.11m center is running up and down the floor in Tunisia, trying to lead his squad into the 2016 Olympics.
He got off to a great start in Senegal's first game this week, pouring in 26 points and corralling 15 rebounds in a 77-71 Group B triumph over Morocco.
RADES (AfroBasket 2015) - Gorgui Dieng is relishing the opportunity to represent Senegal again this summer and to play at an AfroBasket for the first time.
One year after making a huge splash with the national team at the FIBA Basketball World Cup, when he fired Senegal into the Round of 16, the 2.11m center is running up and down the floor in Tunisia, trying to lead his squad into the 2016 Olympics.
He got off to a great start in Senegal's first game this week, pouring in 26 points and corralling 15 rebounds in a 77-71 Group B triumph over Morocco.
Dieng inflicted most of his damage on the north African side in the second half when he showed plenty of power but also silky smooth moves in and around the paint.
The winner of the AfroBasket will clinch a spot in the Rio de Janeiro Games but a strong finish could also see Senegal earn a place in one of the three FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournaments (OQT).
The sides that end up second, third and forth will receive invitations to an OQT.
"We are focused on one game at a time but our overall ambition is to win the title," Dieng said to FIBA.com.
"That is why there is no feeling of [anyone being] a superstar among the players.
"Winning the title, something we have been chasing since 1997, would be great and a direct qualification for the 2016 Olympics."
Senegal face Mozambique on Saturday before taking on reigning champions Angola on Monday.
The winner of the AfroBasket will clinch a spot in the Rio de Janeiro Games but a strong finish could also see Senegal earn a place in one of the three FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournaments (OQT).
The sides that end up second, third and forth will receive invitations to an OQT.
"We are focused on one game at a time but our overall ambition is to win the title," Dieng said to FIBA.com.
"That is why there is no feeling of [anyone being] a superstar among the players.
"Winning the title, something we have been chasing since 1997, would be great and a direct qualification for the 2016 Olympics."
Senegal face Mozambique on Saturday before taking on reigning champions Angola on Monday.
By: FIBA.com
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