Oklahoma City Thunder Media Conference

Monday, September 30, 2024

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA

Ousmane Dieng

Press Conference


Q. After what happened last year, the season that you all had, have you sensed a change in the vibe that is around this team as it heads into camp?

OUSMANE DIENG: Not really. It's still the same vibe. Everybody is working out together. Everybody is in the building playing pick-up. It was really fun. No, it's still the same vibe.

Q. What's been your biggest emphasis this summer so far?

OUSMANE DIENG: Working on my body. Trying to gain weight and still working on my shot. I worked a lot on my shot and my body. That was the main points.

Q. Any discussions with the Thunder about what your role is going to be in the organization this year?

OUSMANE DIENG: Not really. Training camp starts tomorrow, so yeah, we're going to see tomorrow. That's a question for the coach. I'm just ready to attack every day, every practice.

Q. Describe your experience last year. You had the basketball in your hands. You had the ability to lead things and be the primary focal point of the offense. You're stepping back into at the next level most of those guys are used to being that guy. What's your mindset showing up at training camp this year and where do I fit in, where is my opportunity, where is my spot?

OUSMANE DIENG: Just to play hard, compete on defense and offense, make shots. One other point last year with the Blue was at first playing off the ball because that's how I'm going to play with the Thunder. I'm pretty confident on that.

Q. Is it more exciting or is it more challenging, frustrating being on a team like this where you are getting better, but the roster seems to get better every year, and it's harder and harder to find playing time?

OUSMANE DIENG: It's exciting. It's a challenge too. Yeah, it's exciting. We're trying to win the most games. That's the most important things. It's really exciting.

Q. What would you say you learned most about yourself and your game the last two years since I've been here? What have been the biggest places you've grown since you've gotten here?

OUSMANE DIENG: Probably compete, compete every day on both aspects, defense and offense. I think that's one of the things I improved the most during the last two years.

Q. What are your overall thoughts on the drafts and the culmination of French basketball?

OUSMANE DIENG: That's good. That's good for France. That means we got good development in France, and we got to keep doing that. I'm just proud and happy for that.

FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports
148813-1-1878 2024-09-30 19:23:00 GMT

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