Breakers' Young Stars to Prepare for 2022 NBA Draft

Sky Sport Breakers phenoms Ousmane Dieng and Hugo Besson will both miss the final game of the NBL season to prepare for the upcoming 2022 NBA Draft on June 23rd.
 
18-year-old Dieng has cemented himself as one of the biggest stars in the Australian NBL, averaging 13.2 points and 4.0 rebounds in his last 11 games. 

Since the start of March, Dieng has been shooting 51.4 percent from the field and finished the season strong with 22 points, six rebounds, and six assists against the South East Melbourne Phoenix on April 10th.

Dieng ranks first amongst all players in the NBL, both in isolation points per possession (min. 15 poss) and points per possession on his passes in the pick and roll (min. 20 poss). 
 
Dieng, a projected lottery pick, is currently ranked 12th in ESPN’s latest mock 2022 NBA Draft. 
 
Besson’s path to the NBA from the Sky Sport Breakers has also been successful.
 
The 20-year-old created a global buzz across social media in just his second game at the club last December, with a 26-point explosion against a South East Melbourne Phoenix outfit that included former Houston Rocket giant Zhou Qi guarding the rim.
 
The Breakers’ youngest ever import has been on the radars of NBA scouts ever since, averaging 13.9 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 2.5 assists across 25-games.
 
He is currently projected as the 32nd pick in ESPN’s mock Draft, but some outlets have him listed as high as 23.
 
“Playing for the Breakers and learning every day alongside ex-NBA players has transformed my game and given me the exposure I needed to head to the Draft,” said Besson.
 
“I want to thank my coaches and teammates for a season that has made me grow both on and off the court.”
 
The French duo’s remarkable seasons are even more impressive considering the conditions the Breakers have endured this season - not playing a single home game with COVID restrictions locking them out of New Zealand and forcing the team to relocate and play out the season in Australia. 
 
“I’ve grown as a player through facing adversity and became a tougher person playing all the games away from home, in a different country, and speaking a different language,” said Dieng.
 
“Each month, I was able to grow my game and finished strong due to training with my teammates and coaching staff.”
  
“The Breakers have outstanding coaches, and I have improved everywhere, particularly my defence, as I was able to play against great former NBA players,” he said.
 
Breakers Owner Matt Walsh says the organisation is proud to have been part of Dieng and Besson's journey to the NBA.
 
“There is no doubt playing at the Breakers and learning to thrive in unusual circumstances will have profoundly positive effects on the careers of Ousmane and Hugo,” said Walsh.
 
“In a short space of time, they have both gone from up-and-coming prospects to stars of the NBL, and we expect their NBA careers will follow a similar trajectory in the years to come.”
 
Dieng and Besson now head back to France but will travel to the United States next month ahead of the Draft.