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Gorgui Dieng has been making all Louisville Cardinals fans proud lately, as he has been putting up double-doubles left and right for the Minnesota Timberwolves. He had a stretch of six games where he had five double-doubles. Even in the last three games, he either had double figures in points or rebounds, which is big because his minutes have gone down just a little bit since Nikola Pekovic returned from injury.
For the month of March, Gorgui has been named the Western Conference Rookie of the Month.
The following quotes came from this article from NBA.com about Gorgui.
“I choose to be a professional basketball player, and I belong with them and that’s not the first time I say that,” Dieng said after his 15-point, 15-rebound effort against Atlanta on March 26. “It took a lot of effort, a lot of sacrifices. I get here before the other players and work with A.J. [head video coordinator Adam Johansen] and work with the other coaches that are here, and after practice I stay and work with Jack [Sikma]. So it takes a lot. It’s just the beginning.”
“It’s been a great sighting,” guard Kevin Martin said. “He got his opportunity, but what he’s doing with his opportunity is something special. Two or three years from now, he’s going to be a really special center in this league. But he’s been poised throughout the year.”
“He’s been unbelievable the last month or so of the season. He’s been just terrific,” Clippers coach Doc Rivers said. “Rebounding, he can actually make that 15-foot jump shot. So, he’s going to be a good player. It’s amazing. In college, you rebound, it translates. There are very few things that translate from college to the pros. But, for whatever reason… rebounding does. I don’t know why but it does. And he’s doing that.”
“He’s awesome,” J.J. Barea said. “I’m so proud of him. He’s working all year, and when the time came he took advantage. He’s just aggressive. He’s aggressive to the ball, and he’s active. He’s a smart kid.”
“Honestly, I’m just playing the game,” Dieng said. “I don’t have nothing that’s going to stop me playing.
“I love basketball, you know? Whether it’s on the street, outside, whatever. I just love playing basketball, and I choose to be a basketball player. So I need to make it fun.”
Here are highlights from his 22 point, 21 rebound game against the Houston Rockets.
