Senegalese Forward Ousmane N'Diaye Signs With Kentucky

Well, that was quick. Just a day after coming onto our radar, Senegalese forward Ousmane N’Diaye you could have signed with Kentucky, in keeping with the crew’s social media account.

Kentucky reached out to the 6’11” forward just lately, according to Jacob Polacheck of KSR+. He nonetheless must be cleared by the NCAA, however step one of the method is committing to a college. Sources inform KSR+ they’re assured that N’Diaye might be cleared, which is nice information for Kentucky, which wants assist in the frontcourt.

N’Diaye, who turned 22 years outdated in March, has performed professionally for a number of completely different golf equipment, beginning with Germany’s Dragons Rhoendorf throughout the 2019-20 season. He spent the subsequent few years enjoying in Spain earlier than suiting up for Vanoli Cremona, which performs in Italy’s high league, the LBA, starting in 2025. This season, he’s in the course of a breakout season, averaging 10.2 factors and 6.7 rebounds in 27.3 minutes per recreation. He shot 42.1% from the sphere and 32.1 p.c on 5 three-point makes an attempt per recreation. N’Diaye can be a member of the Senegalese nationwide crew, serving to lead his house nation to a bronze medal end on the 2025 African Championships.

N’Diaye has been on the NBA Draft radar for a number of years now, even declaring in 2023 earlier than withdrawing forward of the deadline. He declared once more final 12 months and stored his identify in, but it surely was not chosen. After a productive run in Italy, his identify surfaced as a best choice for high faculties within the United States. Now, he is a Kentucky Wildcat.

What to find out about N’Diaye’s recreation

More from our Bio Blast on N’Diaye from Thursday:

N’Diaye’s name first surfaced all the way in which again in 2016 as a participant within the first-ever Basketball Without Borders (BWB) Africa Camp, which was held in Angola. Former Kentucky guard Eric Bledsoewho was enjoying for the Phoenix Suns, was among the many gamers serving as a camp coach. N’Diaye, solely 12 years outdated on the time, was one among 87 girls and boys from 27 completely different African nations invited to the occasion.

In 2020, ESPN mentioned him as one of many high long-term prospects from the Basketball Without Borders Global Camp in Chicago. N’Diaye was named MVP of Szent Istvan, an under-16 match in Hungary, already standing at 6-foot-9. He’s since performed professionally for a number of completely different golf equipment, making his debut for Germany’s Dragons Rhoendorf throughout the 2019-20 season. He spent the subsequent few years enjoying in Spain earlier than suiting up for Vanoli Cremona, which performs in Italy’s high league, the LBA, starting in 2025.

For an in-depth scouting report on N’Diaye’s recreation from somebody who has watched a ton of his movie, go take a look at Ersin Demir’s detailed piece here from final May. This report was written earlier than N’Diaye made the transfer to Italy, the place he put up huge numbers in 2025-26, however Demir went far past the stats to color a greater image of how his recreation tasks long-term.

With uncooked bodily instruments, excessive athleticism, and a growing outdoors jumper, there’s a motive NBA groups have been retaining shut eyes on him through the years. You can see a few of N’Diaye’s highlights from this previous season by means of the video beneath. With good handles, he runs the ground properly for somebody his dimension, has some aptitude to his playstyle, and isn’t afraid to shoot over his defender because of a fast launch.