In a recent interview with Jeff Goodman of CBS Sports, Rick Pitino continued to express with confidence that Louisville junior center Gorgui Dieng will enter the draft and not return for his senior season.
“If he is projected as a first-rounder, he is leaving,” Pitino tells Goodman. “And I’m almost sure he’ll be taken in the first round.” Pitino also told Goodman that Dieng is “98% gone.”
Considering what Pitino said during his post game press conference on Monday night, you had to expect that he was hearing nothing good things about Dieng’s draft stock.
It’s still too early to know for sure what the future holds for Gorgui because he’ll need to be evaluated once the season ends. He may work out for NBA teams and be told that he could use another year in college.
March 6, 2013 at 12:10 pm
Good luck Dieng! We don’t want to see you go, but we do want the best for you.
March 6, 2013 at 12:23 pm
He needs one more year, FOR ME!!!!! Lol nah I’m not that selfish, but it would be nice! Go get that dream and money of the NBA man!
March 6, 2013 at 12:41 pm
Would like to see the Orlando Magic draft him. For one, they need a center after Dwight Coward’s departure. Two, I’d get to see him play!!
March 6, 2013 at 2:56 pm
I’m hoping the Atlanta Hawks pick him up. For years they have discussed moving Horford back to his natural 4 spot and on Dieng’s worst day he is better than ZaZa Pachulia who currently starts at center.
March 6, 2013 at 5:11 pm
Dieng needs one more year ,he’s just now coming into his own offensively. Y would Pitino bring up going to the NBA when the team is in the process of winninga national title.
March 6, 2013 at 8:19 pm
Why bring it up now; Senior Day is next.
March 6, 2013 at 5:51 pm
Gorgi has only been playing organized basketball for 5 years. While he is really starting to come into his own offensively, he is already a defensive presence on the floor. He will get drafted on his potential alone. Gorgi is also 25 years old. NBA scouts look at age as a factor so he would be wise to go if he can get guarenteed money. Ultimately it’s up to Gorgi. I hope that whatever happens he becomes a superstar. He deserves it.
March 7, 2013 at 3:42 pm
Actually, Gorgui is 23, but still, that’s old, compared to some kids entering the NBA these days. I miss the days of when everyone played 4 years before going pro (thanks a lot for starting that trend of going straight to pro from high school, Kobe Bryant)!
March 7, 2013 at 4:28 pm
I din”t know he was 23 years old if the chance is their he should take advantage of it,before he turn 24 he still be a old rookie at 23 years in the N.B.A but good luck to him.