Aziz N'Diaye

Anyone out there who watches a lot of Pac 10 hoops know anything about this guy? I noticed him just during Washington's two NCAA Tournament games. The thing that stand out: He's HUGE. 7 feet, 260 lbs., and built like a brick house. Moved really well, and appeared to have soft hands. His profile says this is his second year, but didn't play at all last year. Any additional thoughts on this guy from those who have seen him play? There were some positive comments about Robert Sacre from Gonzaga, but this guy appears to have way better NBA strength and athleticism. Just wondering ...

about 1 year ago bfan 17 comments 0 recs |

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If

He can improve his hands, he will be a solid NBA big man. Has ridiculous upside right now, and could become a Mutumbo like player

by ripcityjake on Mar 20, 2011 12:58 PM PDT reply actions

Interesting comparison.

Just from size and movement I thought worst case scenario would be a DeSagana Diop type player, but this guy seems to move better, with more coordination around the rim on offense. Not a bad worst case scenario.

"These are dreams that we have." --Rudolfo Fernandez

by bfan on Mar 20, 2011 1:14 PM PDT up reply actions

DeSagana Diop is a possibility for Aziz N'Diaye, while a worst-case scenario for him is Mo Sene.

N’Diaye, however, will almost surely go undrafted when he’s done with college; thus, in that regard, Didier Ilunga-Mbenga makes the most sense as a comparison. I can’t see any team being foolish enough to waste a pick on N’Diaye, although I thought the same thing of Sene back in the day. Alas, people incomprehensibly reach for raw, unskilled post players. Why? Not sure, but it’s pretty asinine.

"They say it has no memory. That’s where I want to live the rest of my life. A warm place with no memory."

by AK1984 on Mar 20, 2011 9:26 PM PDT up reply actions

You can't teach height.

Probably as simple as that, teams looking to take flyers in players with raw potential and size.

Being a Blazer fan is not exactly healthy.

by dpnim on Mar 21, 2011 1:57 AM PDT up reply actions

True, that's the reason right there.

I don’t necessarily agree with it, though.

"They say it has no memory. That’s where I want to live the rest of my life. A warm place with no memory."

by AK1984 on Mar 21, 2011 3:09 AM PDT up reply actions

No one should be drafting 7'+ koreans

that only have a couple years of playing experience.

Tall people that exceed 7’ are rare. Tall people that exceed 7’ and are athletically coordinated are priceless.

by NWfan on Mar 21, 2011 4:17 PM PDT up reply actions

i love to see mike rice say this one

by Daddygr33nJeans on Mar 20, 2011 1:15 PM PDT reply actions 2 recs

i think he transfered from a junior college

i dont like his basketball IQ.

by Blazerland on Mar 20, 2011 4:24 PM PDT reply actions

He's very raw

He’s relatively new to basketball, so he doesn’t have much of basketball IQ at this point. Has good defensive instincts, but doesn’t know what to do on offense. Often brings the ball down and gets it stripped. He has a lot of upside, though, because he can still be taught a lot of the basics. The best comp, though, is probably Hasheem Thabeet. And I say that as a Husky fan who is high on Aziz.

www.ripcitydispatch.com

by Blazer Guy on Mar 20, 2011 4:48 PM PDT reply actions

he's got 2 more years at UW

He could continue to develop and make a place for him. But if Sacre from Gonzaga was available I would pick him up first.

by bengance on Mar 20, 2011 5:58 PM PDT reply actions

Aziz N'Diaye is a useful college player, but will have no business ever playing in the NBA.

Think DeSagana Diop or, worse yet, Mo Sene. Ugh, the name Sene brings with it nightmarish flashbacks.

"They say it has no memory. That’s where I want to live the rest of my life. A warm place with no memory."

by AK1984 on Mar 20, 2011 9:19 PM PDT reply actions

In two years, Aziz will make you eat your words

first year in Div 1 after a year in juco after coming over from Senegal – but has the physical talent to be plenty good with appropriate coaching.

Footwork, hands and timing – the three essentials of good role playing NBA big men. N’Diaye made progress in each of those areas and could emerge as a dominate big in the Pac 10 next year…

Law of Logical Argument
Anything is possible if you don't know what you are talking about.

by blacknoiseNW on Mar 20, 2011 10:13 PM PDT up reply actions