Gorgui Dieng

Gorgui Sy Dieng was born in Kebemer, Senegal in 1990. Dieng is one of eight children born to Momar and Seynabou Dieng, and he speaks five languages (Spanish, French, Italian, English and his native Wolof). Dieng began playing basketball at the age of 15, and he left Senegal for West Virginia shortly thereafter. He averaged 15.4 points, 12.6 rebounds and 7.2 blocks per game as a senior at Huntington St. Joseph Prep before moving onto the University of Louisville. Dieng spent three years with the Cardinals, majoring in communications, before leaving for the NBA in 2013. Since arriving to the NBA, Dieng has immersed himself in charity work for his home country of Senegal. He launched The Gorgui Dieng Foundation to further healthcare access, healthy food, sustainable farming and athletic camps in Senegal. He's also partnered with Minneapolis-based organizations to upgrade hospitals and health facilities in his hometown of Kebemer, becoming a national celebrity in Senegal along the way. You can follow Dieng on Twitter @GorguiDieng and on Instagram @Gorguidieng. Dieng helped lead Louisville to the 2013 NCAA Tournament title. He registered eight points, eight rebounds and three blocked shots as the Cardinals defeated Michigan, 82-76, in the final. The Senegalese junior was named to the 2013 NCAA Tournament All-Region team and the 2012-13 All-Big East first team. That same season, he was also honored as the Big East Defensive Player of the Year. Dieng finished third in the Big East in blocks (83) in the 2012-13 season after leading the conference in that category with 128 the year before. His sophomore season saw him lead the Big East in rebounds with 363, and he came in second in 2012-13 with another 310. Dieng announced his entry into the 2013 NBA Draft after his junior year. He was drafted in the first round (21st overall) by the Utah Jazz, then sent to the Minnesota Timberwolves in a draft-day trade.