Ousmane Ndaye

Anon1730326584

Sophomore
Oct 30, 2024
123
141
43
For anybody curious here, is a really in depth scouting report on him from a little less than a year ago. He did improve his stats quite a bit with more playing time this past year with the caveat that it was in a slightly less prestigious league than he had previously been in, but if he’s going the college route instead of catching on somewhere in the NBA at 22 years old, I’m going to assume he’s still fairly raw.

I think this is a good gamble for us. His physical tools give him a much higher ceiling than any of the remaining domestic options at the 4 spot. I would just caution against expecting him to be a game changer from day 1. He is still considered a work in progress, and the NCAA style game usually takes a little getting used to for guys coming in from Europe.
No he's not a work in progress,he can play
 

megablue

Heisman
Oct 2, 2012
15,743
15,989
113
Part of my Pope needs to go international idea.

These US kids think he's a dope and play the channels. His dopiness, like Underwood, likely translates better with internationals. Underwood is pulling out water pistols in the locker room. US kids are all about social media and doing the cool thing - and that's not playing for Pope. These kids will just be happy to get some bucks to play a sport, buy into the brand.
The Patterson School of Diplomacy might be a draw ... well-respected internationally. A back-up if NBA plans fall through for bright international students.
 

Runt#1969

All-American
Dec 13, 2010
21,144
8,608
113
Really good news. Add Stokes or Momcilovic to play the 3 and you have an Elite 8 caliber squad
Stokes AND Momcilovic now.... has been what I was hoping for as a best case scenario. Pope has actuqlly got this old blue hair checking on the boards like the days of The DOOR to see if we could *somehow, impossibly* get BOTH Stokes to come and get that can't recruit moniker off his back, and with Momcilovic, whom I have wanted since last year watching Iowa State.

He would light up Rupp Arena. UK would LOVE him.

Frankly, I'd be giddy and quietly sitting back watching everyone run around like idiots going every direction with it.

Just my .02
 
Apr 18, 2026
207
311
63
After watching Illinois last year, this was something I wanted Pope to try. International kids honestly are probably more team oriented these days than American kids. At least young American kids. Would love to sign a couple more quality internationals.
Heard Jelavic complain about the selfishness of some on the team so why not
 
  • Like
Reactions: JASUN74
Feb 22, 2026
150
515
93
We gotta solid supporting cast roster now, if we can just land a true stud and a deadeye shooter we could make real noise. One of Stokes/Graves/Otega plus Milan would put us in contention.
 

KYFOSSIL

Heisman
Jan 13, 2005
7,841
10,508
62
Spot shooter good. Way less athletic than Slim Jesus and even less than N’ Diaye . Played against inferior competition. So not the best foreign But a good spot shooter. He could complement MCbride but would not be as explosive as Slim Jesus.
You don't really know what you're talking about. He plays in the third best league in the world
 
  • Like
Reactions: MichaelGray

UKgrad22

Senior
Apr 9, 2026
185
461
63
I know there’s a ton of hype around Muurinen, but this is a really good article about him. One thing that stood out was this: “One media member around Partizan told HoopsHype that coaches within the organization described Muurinen's basketball IQ and fundamental knowledge as comparable to that of a player no older than 13 or 14, and his attention to detail and work ethic during practice leave much to be desired.”
https://www.hoopshype.com/story/spo...ut-he-has-bigger-problems-first/89685478007/#
 

Drogon

All-Conference
Mar 14, 2017
1,758
2,428
113
A lot of emphasis on N'Diaye's offense.

What you should really be talking about is his defensive rebounding and defensive versatility. Can guard the 1-5, although he can struggle in the paint with physicality. Had a DRB% of around 20%. He's especially good at using his length and mobility to secure 3pt misses of the opposing team. Something we struggled with last season.

He's as good as a defender as Mo D, possibly better, and he's 6ft 11, the same as Jelavic. This guy's defense and his rebounding, especially the rebounding, are a great upgrade on last year's 4's


He's also a way better offensive player than Dioubate, and Mo D had some solid moments on that end. This guy will be more consistent. Better handles than both those guys as well.

If he plays for us like he did in Italy, we are getting a fantastic player.
 

megablue

Heisman
Oct 2, 2012
15,743
15,989
113
A lot of emphasis on N'Diaye's offense.

What you should really be talking about is his defensive rebounding and defensive versatility. Can guard the 1-5, although he can struggle in the paint with physicality. Had a DRB% of around 20%. He's especially good at using his length and mobility to secure 3pt misses of the opposing team.

He's as good as a defender as Mo D, possibly better, and he's 6ft 11, the same as Jelavic. This guy's defense and his rebounding, especially the rebounding, are a great upgrade on last year's 4's


He's also a way better offensive player than Dioubate, and Mo D had some solid moments on that end. This guy will be more consistent. Better handles than both those guys as well.

If he plays for us like he did in Italy, we are getting a fantastic player.
I admit that mine is only a cursory look, so far, but I see what you see. He might be much better than most folks are expecting him to be.
 

RedwoodHigh

Senior
Nov 18, 2025
634
868
93
We gotta solid supporting cast roster now, if we can just land a true stud and a deadeye shooter we could make real noise. One of Stokes/Graves/Otega plus Milan would put us in contention.
We have 6 starters now & a couple of potential great role players.Plus 2 freshmen point guards & Noah . I’d like to see Noah & Lil Thorne redshirt Unless we get the 5 in 5 rule change.
 

Captain Coy

All-Conference
Apr 16, 2024
1,034
1,536
113
This was a super huge pickup. We had to get a stretch 4 for our Offense to be its best. He has more upside than anyone we had been recruiting. He has to get stronger which is a common issue with European players, but if he can consistently stretch the floor, rebound, and rim protect, I don't think we could ask for more at the 4 position. Super important piece. So we still need a deep range sniper, a really impactful wing, and some backup frontcourt pieces.
 

JASUN74

All-Conference
May 22, 2008
3,409
4,937
73
Stokes AND Momcilovic now.... has been what I was hoping for as a best case scenario. Pope has actuqlly got this old blue hair checking on the boards like the days of The DOOR to see if we could *somehow, impossibly* get BOTH Stokes to come and get that can't recruit moniker off his back, and with Momcilovic, whom I have wanted since last year watching Iowa State.

He would light up Rupp Arena. UK would LOVE him.

Frankly, I'd be giddy and quietly sitting back watching everyone run around like idiots going every direction with it.

Just my .02
If we end up with both Stokes and Momcilovic, that’s something we can get fired up about. Pope should have the support to get those guys easily. Make it happen Mark.
 
  • Like
Reactions: MichaelGray

Wildcat_in_DC

All-Conference
Nov 25, 2025
789
1,213
93
This was a super huge pickup. We had to get a stretch 4 for our Offense to be its best. He has more upside than anyone we had been recruiting. He has to get stronger which is a common issue with European players, but if he can consistently stretch the floor, rebound, and rim protect, I don't think we could ask for more at the 4 position. Super important piece. So we still need a deep range sniper, a really impactful wing, and some backup frontcourt pieces.
i get why everyone wanted freeman. i did as well. but if we are being honest....was he really a good fit? if we land stokes, how effective would he be with moreno and freeman occupying the same space?

if this is pope's last year and i where him...i'd go down swinging with what i know....and this guy is a better fit on paper than freeman.
 

Wildcat_in_DC

All-Conference
Nov 25, 2025
789
1,213
93
If we end up with both Stokes and Momcilovic, that’s something we can get fired up about. Pope should have the support to get those guys easily. Make it happen Mark.
this is the problem i have with fans.....you make it sound like landing stokes and momcilovic is not just realistic, but expected. and that getting those two is on mark.

those two guys are going to cost you 10M-12M total.....no way mark has access to that kind of money.